Wang Huanguo, 77, Huangmen Village.

Wang believes that her feet were first bandaged starting around the time she was four years old. In those days, all girls would get their feet bound. The practice died out throughout the first half of the 20th century, in part due to anti foot-binding campaigns, and the practice had almost completely stopped by the time Mao took power. “But my grandmother’s feet were even smaller!” she says. Today, Wang uses a cane when she walks.

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Wang Huanguo, 77, Huangmen Village.

Wang believes that her feet were first bandaged starting around the time she was four years old. In those days, all girls would get their feet bound. The practice died out throughout the first half of the 20th century, in part due to anti foot-binding campaigns, and the practice had almost completely stopped by the time Mao took power. “But my grandmother’s feet were even smaller!” she says. Today, Wang uses a cane when she walks.