Zhudong Snake Kiln Eco-Museum Introduction
When one hears "snake kiln," it is easy to associate it with snakes and mistakenly believe that its shape is also curved. However, the snake kiln is long and linear with no divisions in the middle. In the early days of Taiwan, snake kilns were common throughout the country and were used to fire everyday pottery. Due to their fragility, only a few snake kilns remain in Taiwan today. The Zhunan Snake Kiln was established in 1972 and originally measured 23 meters in length, but now only 17 meters remain. It is one of the few well-preserved snake kilns in Taiwan and is still capable of producing finished products. In 2001, it was selected as one of the "Hundred Historical Buildings" by the National Cultural and Arts Foundation and has been registered as a historical building in Miaoli County, highlighting its value. Despite its traditional architecture, the operational philosophy of the Zhunan Snake Kiln is anything but traditional. It integrates innovative ideas into ancient pottery firing techniques, transforming the snake kiln's role from merely a firing facility to promoting traditional pottery culture. The kiln owner is committed to teaching and producing traditional ceramics and occasionally holds pottery exhibitions, diligently promoting ceramics. This not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also showcases exceptional performances in contemporary art. With this infusion of new life, it is foreseeable that the skills of pottery-making will not be extinguished but will continue to be sustainably passed down through generations.
