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 There are between 200 and 300
woodcraft shops on Ho-ping Old Street, Kang-chuang
Road, and Fu-shin Road in Da-shi carrying all
kinds of fine furniture and worship-alters. You
can find more woodcrafts here than elsewhere
in Taiwan. The quality here is the highest, as
well. In the Ching Dynasty, the valuable timbers
produced from the upper-stream of Da-han Creek
were concentrated here. The supply of wood is
always sufficient. Tan-shan masters (literally
translated as outstanding craftsman from Mainland
China) improved their skills constantly. With
the superior weather conditions suitable for
material processing, this area has the best conditions
for the development of woodcrafts.
 There are large varieties of woodcraft in Da-shi including tables, chairs, and cabinets, as well as the woodcrafts for worship, such as worship-tables, wood altars, and ancestor tablets. Flower stands and brush stands are also available here. Customers from all over Taiwan place orders for export to Japan and USA. Manufacturers import black sandalwood, purple sandalwood, red wood, and teak from Southeast Asia. The same workers cut the wood, join the wood, carve the wood, and apply paint. There is no rush at all, but all works have to be done in a consistent manner. The styles and design are passed down from the Ching Dynasty with emphasis on the traditional sense of beauty.
 All woodcrafts made in Da-shi are made of genuine materials. The refined skills and lasting styles truly reveal the perfect their craftsmanship. However, the traditional designs are not flexible in terms of innovation. Prices are higher, too. Production takes a long time. That is why sales have been dropping in recent years, plus there are less and less skilled workers nowadays; all stores are under heavy pressure. Now the manufacturers are looking for a breakthrough by sponsoring exhibitions and contests, and hope to create a fresh air for the old shops. If the styles and purposes can be changed, manufacturers will be able to expect new growth. |
