About me

        I am a college student who interest in something old, historical and cultural. This is my motivation that keeps me working on it.

        In my free time, I like to watch some TV shows that introduce history of different countries, different dynasties…and so forth. Or I like to read novels and fictions that have a historical background. To me, history is an important part of my life.

        In order to realize more about the history of Taiwan, my posts are all associated with the topic that I am interested in. The reason why my posts are all about some industries that position differently from before is that I want to know more about Taiwan. The industries I introduce were important in different periods before, but they all have new life and have new functions nowadays. As a Taiwanese person, we should know where we live as much as we can. But if you are foreigners, welcome to know more about Taiwan!!!

• Welcome to give me some comments or point out my grammar errors if you can.

Secrets of ink

        Can you imagine a house is almost covered in black? Can you picture a house naturally floating a special smelling of Chinese herbs? Do you know that ink stick was soft during the process of production? Do you know that ink can be eaten? In the post, I will tell you something about ink that you don't know.

A small factory located at the alley in San Chong District

        Ink manufacturer is a minor job in Taiwan. It is hard to find a handmade ink stone or ink stick recently. Now most ink sticks, ink stones and something about ink are produced by factories. The skill of making ink is almost disappeared. However, Da you ink factory still works hard on it.

an elaborate set 

        The craftsman, Chen Jia-de, seems to be the only one that makes the ink with hands in Taiwan. In 1960s, calligraphy is a subject that every student has to learn. The ink industry was once prosperous at that time for the large demand. But the prosperity didn't last for a long time. China exported a large number of cheap inks into Taiwan and it was a serious hurt to ink industry. Da you ink manufacturer was once depressed by the price competition but it changes the business strategy. Instead of joining the competition, Chen Jia-de makes more quality inks which set him apart from other manufacturers.

manufacturing process

the powder of Chinese herbs

(musk+borneol=the scent of the ink)

production machine used for grinding

knead 

hit

knead

press

air-dried for several months

the rightest one is the craftsman, Chen Jia-de

        In fact, the interview was made when I was a senior high school student. I have to do some research on the jobs. Why we decided to interview Da yu ink manufacturer was because we wanted to know more about the exceptional skills and the rarely-seen tradition.

        It is hard for me to remind the details during the interview, but there are two matters impressing me the most. The first one is that the skill is fading away. Although there were once some apprentices, they all ended up leaving. The skill has to be cultivated not only for 3~5 years so most of them quitted at the end. What the master relied on mostly is the experience so it is impossible to learn in a moment. It is such a crisis that no one inherits the skill. Secondly, in order to preserve the exceptional skill, the governmen sets the laws which look good. But you can just look at them because it's hard to apply subsidy. The master is awarded by the government for several times but he cannot get the support is such an irony. 

         

• official website: http://www.yous.com.tw/du/du_index.htm

• If you still have time, please give me some feedbacks and point out my grammar errors

Thanks for your reading！

Baroque Sanxia

Located in the New Taipei City Sanxia District, there is a baroque street. Built in middle 18^th century, the street has passed through almost 260 years. The street features of some ancient European decorations mixed with Japanese, Chinese and Western elements. What the diverse cultural street is Sanxia Old Street.

Sanxia Old Street

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Sanxia Old Street is once famous for indigo, camphor, tea and other cash crops. Recently, the tradition has become a priceless heritage and be well preserved by the local government. The street all immerse in retrospective style. Baroque gable is the most famous feature. Besides, there are other spots that are worth visiting. Sanxia Cing Shuei Zu Shih temple, a temple that is honorably called Eastern Art Palace. The Memorial Gallery of the designer, Li Mei-shu, is just in the vicinity.

gable

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Sanxia Cing Shuei Zu Shih temple

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inside the temple

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Li Mei-shu Memorial Gallery

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To me, Sanxia is not a foreign city. Since my grandparents live there, I have been there many times. Of course, I have visited Sanxia Old Street a few times that is uncountable. However, during the process of writing the post, I find myself unknown about and familiar with the location at the same time. I am familiar with the environment there while I understand less cultural background about Sanxia Old Street.

        Although the street isn't as prosperous as before, the street has a new life different from before. Like indigo, it is famous at the region around Sanxia and Yingge. Before, some people earned money with it but it turns out to be a distinguishing traditional culture heritage that attracts visitors and tourists. The old objects are injected with the new life. This is what I want to see whichever historic site I visit. 

delicious croissants~

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official website

mouthwatering flavors~

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 Croissant is the famous delicacy here. Once you come to Sanxia, you must buy try some. There are several store selling croissants but I prefer to buy from 金三峽牛角. There are many flavors you can choose and the statue outside is so cute, isn’t it? Every time my grandparents come to visit me, they always bring some boxes of croissants. Because the flavors are so many and I am too greedy, they often buy me all kinds of flavor within a box so that I won’t miss any flavor. If you haven’t been here, you must come and enjoy the food and the cultural phenomenon.

~click here to see more~

★Information:

1. Official website: http://www.sanchiaoyung.com.t
2. Address: Mincyuan street Sanxia district New Taipei City

• If you still have time, please give me some feedback and point out my grammar errors. Thanks for your reading~

Taste the sweet history

Like my previous post, now I’m going to introduce another place that relate to the industry transition. Because I am interested in something historical, the places I introduce may have some stories.

Sugar has always played an important role in Taiwan’s history. No matter which group occupied Taiwan, the economy in those periods all depended partly on sugar. Ciaotou Sugar Refinery, the first mechanized sugar refinery in Taiwan. , was a typical example that was established in Japanese Occupation Period.

Like other sugar refineries, they all used to produce a large amount of sugar to export before but now they are transformed into somewhere like museums and amusement parks and are managed by Taiwan Sugar Cooperation. Because of some featured buildings or something historical, people cannot not only visit their having fun but also experience history. It is a good place for both children and adults. The following two pictures show somewhere childish in the park.

Ciaotou sugar refinery not only preserves historical items and ancient buildings well but also introduce something artistic and cultural. There are a few installations art outside that we can take photos with. Besides, there are a few stores and with distinguishing style. If you are tired when strolling, you can have a cup of café sitting under the tree and enjoy the relaxation. Or if you want get some souvenirs or local cuisine for your friends and family, you must visit the sales center.

The sales center there is really different from my imagination. Before entering the center, what I thought was a center that provided various local specialties. But the specialties there are really “various.” The most famous specialty there is the ice cream, like yeast flavor and other tastes. In addition to ice cream, it also sells several specialties from other cities and some common goods.

I was a little confused when I saw the phenomenon. I didn’t understand why specialties from foreign cities were sold here. Even common seen bags of oats which are also displayed on hypermarkets are sold in the center. It is quiet weird. I think that they should offer products that can show the characteristics there. Or it isn’t different from the city markets. Compared to Japan, there is almost a specialty in every city. If you want to have it, you must visit the city. But now in Taiwan, even though you lived in Taipei and you want to taste the fruits from Kaohsiung, you just have to go to the supermarket. But I think that the convenience makes the specialty not special at all. If the shop can sell something unique that can only buy there, I think I will buy more there rather than just a cup of ice cream.

At last, I still recommend you guys to visit here. Bringing your family or going with your friends and enjoying the historical atmosphere here are worthwhile.

Taiwan sugar cooperation

If you still have time, please give me some feedback or point out my errors. Thanks~

Art Palace

    Nowadays, there is a new famous tourist spot in Kaohsiung. There are always a lot of people, especially on weekends. Citizens and tourists over there relax themselves and have fun. They may hardly believe that where they are was once a discarded warehouse. But it turns into a whole new world after a reformation. The old storehouse became an exhibition area and the people there weren’t labors anymore but a large number of tourists now. Recently, it has become one of the landmarks to represent Kaohsiung. The scenic spot is The Pier-2 Art Center, which is a place for people to enjoy the art.

     The Pier-2 Art Center was once prosperous when Taiwan was under Japanese occupation. At that time, Kaohsiung was developed to an industrial city. The government built Kaohsiung harbor and extended the railway there so warehouses sprung up like mushrooms after the facilities were all done. Kaohsiung harbor brought a lot of business opportunities. Yancheng District was once full of labor, trucks and warehouses filled with sugar bags. Exporting sugar was one of the financial incomes of the Japanese government. These warehouses mostly were used to store exported cargo－sugar. However, it was until the Pacific War that the prosperity faded.

Earlier Kaohsiung

 It was until 2000 was the field of The Pier-2 Art Center noticed again. After the liberation of Taiwan from Japanese rule, these warehouses were also used to store goods. However, it was forgotten and discarded for a long while until 2000. In 2000, the Kaohsiung City government suddenly discovered the field for fireworks displays. From then on, the place started to be valued. Citizens and the government worked together to reform the region. What we can see now took a long time to arrange with their efforts.

    Different from other art centers, The Pier-2 Art Center focuses on more active exhibitions. Beside some exhibitions in the warehouses, there are also some installations art outside. Some of the work can even interact with the people. Compared to some work of art displayed in the room, they may be closer to people. The following pictures are the outdoor work and some exhibitions.

    In addition, some parts can be hold a small concert and some parts can be a market. The markets here sometimes are special. Sellers often sell hand-made objects or something cultural. The following posters are for two featured markets.

    

      However, I consider a phenomenon a problem. I think people there on weekends are too many. Although it is good for business, it causes some problems in neighborhood, like tourist buses. To show foreigners and strangers how Kaohsiung is, tourist agents must bring them there. I think if there are too many people at once, the quality of tourism may get lower. If we want to maintain the high quality, maybe limiting the number of the tourists is a resolution. Sometimes I want to go with my friends for relaxation but I stop my act due to the large number of people. It's hard to relax in noise. The center to me is a representative of the culture so the noise is not suitable there. I hope that one day I don't have to worry the mass of tourist buses when I ride the bike nearby the center and the tourists there won't yell anymore.

    In conclusion, the Pier-2 Art Center transits successfully. The old storehouses and the railway combine with new art. They reshape our impression. The art center not only advances the tourism in Kaohsiung but also that in Taiwan. As to the reason why the Pier-2 Art Center is a successful example mainly because people today concern more about issues that relates to the culture and history. The awareness of culture makes this art center reappear its distinguishing characteristics. 

official website: The Pier-2 Art Center

※The pictures  mostly are downloaded from  the official website  of  The Pier-2 Art Center.

If you still have time, please give me some feedback or point out my errors. Thanks~