Xiangrenhe Bell and Drum Factory Introduction
The development of Xinzhuang was initiated by the river port shipping along the Tamsui River, with convenient transportation leading to the city's prosperity. In early times, Xinzhuang was the fastest developing area in northern Taiwan. During the Japanese occupation, Xinzhuang continued to thrive, and various entertainment activities became increasingly active among the public. The streets were filled with "puppet theaters," "opera houses," and "theater lanes," symbolizing the flourishing of various theater troupes and temple fairs. An indispensable prop in these activities was the drum, which helped create a lively atmosphere, leading to the growth of the drum-making industry in Xinzhuang. The most well-known drum factory is the "Hsiang Ren He Drum Workshop," founded by Master A-Tu (real name Wang Gui-Zhi). His eldest son, Master Wang Xi-Kun, inherited the family business, taking drum-making skills to the next level. The drums crafted by Hsiang Ren He Drum Workshop are favored and ordered by major art groups both domestically and internationally, including the Ju Percussion Group, Han Tang Music Society, and the U Theatre. Additionally, major temples in Taiwan, such as Fo Guang Shan, Dharma Drum Mountain, Bao'an Temple, and the Confucius Temple, are also avid users of Xinzhuang drums. The reputation of Xinzhuang's Hsiang Ren He Drum Workshop has reached foreign countries, with clients in Japan, Malaysia, the United States, India, and Europe all vying for their products. Thus, Xinzhuang has become synonymous with drum-making craftsmanship, and the art of drumming has become a point of pride for the people of Xinzhuang.
