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Zhong Mantian's fascination with shoes goes back to the 1960s, when he went to work in Shanxi province in north China.
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Over four decades', Zhong Mantian has collected more than 4,000 pairs of shoes.
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Zhong Mantian, said, "There's a bell attached to the shoes. At first, I thought the bells were intended to create music while the wearer walked. But the owner told me I was wrong. She said local women are required to act in a most genteel and discreet manner -- and so a lady should never allow the bell make the slightest sound as she walked. At first, she refused to sell the shoes to me. But I found that she was so poor that she could not afford a box of matches. I bought her a box of matches as an exchange for the shoes."
In Shanxi, shoes are considered part of the family legacy. Most people are reluctant to part with their shoes. As a result, Zhong Mantian often to barter, using his rations of food and other materials.
Over four decades', Zhong Mantian has collected more than 4,000 pairs of shoes.
Zhong Mantian, said,"These are apparently from Italy. The image of the Leaning Tower appears on the side. Actually the shoe can serve as a drinking receptacle. These were bought in Hollywood in the United States. You can see the popularity of high heels among American women. These are the replications of a pair of shoes once owned by Marilyn Monroe. The shoes made her even more glamorous."
From looking at the shoes, it's easy to see how times have changed over the decades.
Zhong Mantian, said,"During a visit to UN Headquarters in the US, I came upon a pair of shoes in the showcase. They quite resembled the traditional leather shoes of China's ancients. I was told they were Inuit shoes. They are largely the same as China's old leather shoes. We can see that people from different cultures have the same ideas about shoes."
At Zhong Mantian's home, images of shoes are everywhere. Wind chimes, lights, and even the furniture take on the outlines of shoes.
(CCTV October 21, 2008)
