Silkroad Magazine — Taiwan Old Brands

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

A recent assignment for Silkroad taking photos of four generational shops around Taiwan turned out to be a lot of fun as all the traditional shops and subjects were interesting and photogenic.

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

The third shop I went to was Hsiang Ren He’s traditional drum making shop now run by Wang Hsi-kun.

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Wang Hsi-kun is the second generation drummaker of Hsiang Ren He and is a Councilor of Cultural Affairs as a preserver of Cultural Heritage technology.

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Hsiang Ren He has been in operation for over 80 years and supplies most of Taiwan’s temples and traditional troupes with their drums.

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

A lovely humble man, Wang and his helpers were a pleasure to photograph.

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

His drums are still made by hand the traditional way, indeed, his shop probably looks the same as it did 50 years ago.

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Drum maker Wang Hsi-kun of Hsiang Ren He

Founded in 1927, the Shuili Snake Kiln in Nantou is now run by third-generation artisan Lin Kuo-jung.

Shuili Firewood Pottery Kiln

Shuili Firewood Pottery Kiln, Nantou, Taiwan

The wood-fire kiln is one of Taiwan’s oldest and at over 30m in length is also one of the longest.

Shuili Firewood Pottery Kiln, Nantou, Taiwan

Shuili Firewood Pottery Kiln, Nantou, Taiwan

The pottery park has classes, displays and master potters making pottery that is available for purchase.

Shuili Firewood Pottery Kiln, Nantou, Taiwan

Shuili Firewood Pottery Kiln, Nantou, Taiwan

A baker cooking lard for his bakery didn’t sound incredibly interesting, but 73-year-old Lu Sung-chi – the second-generation owner of the bakery – was an incredibly interesting character.

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taipei, Taiwan

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taichung, Taiwan

Not only is he a master baker, but also a recognized musician and an acclaimed martial artist.

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taipei, Taiwan

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taichung, Taiwan

He has been making Lao Xue Hua pastry for 52 years and has recently passed the reins to his son, but is still active in the factory.

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taipei, Taiwan

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taichung, Taiwan

He says the key to his tasty pastries is the traditional handmade lard his shop produces every morning.

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taipei, Taiwan

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taichung, Taiwan

He lives by (and in the photo below is posing by) his motto — no excuses.

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taipei, Taiwan

Lao Xue Hua Zai Bakery, Taichung, Taiwan

The final traditional shop in the article was Tainan’s own Du Hsiao Yueh noodle shop.

Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh
Danzai Noodles

The 120 year old shop now has several branches in Tainan and has now moved into China.

Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh
Danzai Noodles

The noodles are delicious, cheap and the shops are infused with a traditional decor and atmosphere.

Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh
Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh
Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles

Du Hsiao Yueh
Danzai Noodles