Zhunan Snake Kiln Ecology Museum Introduction
Upon hearing "snake kiln," one might easily associate it with snakes, mistakenly believing its shape to be sinuous. However, the snake kiln is actually elongated and unsegmented. In earlier times, snake kilns were common in various parts of Taiwan, used for firing everyday pottery. Due to their difficult preservation, few snake kilns remain in Taiwan today. The Zhunan Snake Kiln was established in the 61st year of the Republic of China (1972). When it was first built, the kiln measured 23 meters in length, but now it is only 17 meters long. Nonetheless, it remains one of the few well-preserved snake kilns in Taiwan and is still capable of producing quality items. Thus, in the 90th year of the Republic of China (2001), it was selected as one of the nation's historical buildings by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and is registered as a historical building in Miaoli County, highlighting its value. Although it features traditional architecture, the operating philosophy of the Zhunan Snake Kiln is anything but traditional. It incorporates innovative ideas into ancient pottery firing techniques, transforming the kiln's role from a mere firing facility to a promoter of traditional pottery culture. The kiln owner is dedicated to teaching traditional pottery making and regularly holds ceramic exhibitions, actively promoting pottery arts. This not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also allows for remarkable expression in contemporary art. With this infusion of new life, it is envisioned that the skills of pottery making will continue to thrive and be passed down sustainably in the future.
