::The Secret of Turtle-shaped Rice Cake in Lukang::

Little Carvers - Experiencing Carving Molds

[Wood Carving Craft by Shih Zhen-yang #Successors - Wu Shi-wei, Shih Yi-wen]



The successor of Lukang's wood carving craftsman Shih Zhen-yang - Wu Shi-wei.	At the beginning, we are worried about not finding carving molds in Lukang’s craft shops.


The molds that households used to have	are now rarely seen as commercial products


The master’s artworks	are only for admiring from a distance, not for touching casually.


To cultivate our interest in traditional culture,	the master let us touch his extraordinary artworks


Let’s get it started!	Demonstration


I really put effort into it	Let’s do it! Mistakes happen. No biggie!


The master assists!	The difficulty lies in the details, the intricacies


How to convey emotions is also challenging.	Having an interest in preserving tradition isn't difficult.

Early in the morning, we visited the wood carving master's home, where he warmly welcomed us. Without further ado, we asked the master to demonstrate his carving skills, and his sturdy arms made carving seem effortless.

Wood carving involves a lot of subtraction, but after visiting the master and seeing his dedication and interest in traditional crafts, it has strengthened our sense of mission to promote traditional local specialties like red turtle cakes.