Fengyuan Lacquerware Museum Introduction
The Lacquer Art Museum is Taiwan's first public lacquer art exhibition hall. The development of lacquer art in Taiwan can be traced back to the Japanese colonial period, when Taichung City had the Dasyueshan and Baxianshan forests, which provided the materials needed for lacquerware. Additionally, the Japanese strategically cultivated the lacquer industry in the central region, resulting in a number of skilled lacquer craftsmen. The combination of geographic advantages and human resources fostered the flourishing development of Taichung's lacquer industry. Around the 1950s, funded by the United States, a factory named "Milpahlo" was established in Fengyuan with equipment and technology from Japan, specializing in the production of salad bowls that were between wooden and lacquerware. Subsequently, many lacquer artisans started their own businesses, and in the 60s and 70s, the number of local lacquer stores reached over 40. This was also a golden period for exports to Japan, with most lacquerware being shipped from the Fengyuan region, making it a major hub for lacquer art in Taiwan. Today, as the industry globalizes and manufacturing focuses shift, Fengyuan lacquer art is transitioning from mass production to exquisite craftsmanship, continuing the spirit of innovation and inheritance. Therefore, the establishment of the Lacquer Art Museum represents the locomotive of lacquer art innovation and regeneration. The museum is located in the picturesque Zhongzheng Park, with the first floor serving as an exhibition hall and workshop, showcasing historical materials of lacquer craftsmanship and the works of renowned artists. The second floor mainly contains exhibition rooms for local cultural industries and classrooms for workshops, supporting skill inheritance and teaching activities. Thus, the Lacquer Art Museum is not only a place for static exhibitions but also an intellectual space that combines education, industry, culture, and leisure. We offer various simple DIY courses, including making seed necklaces and bird whistles using the applied lacquer technique, as well as imprinting leaf vein patterns on lacquer plates using the maki-e technique, followed by personal creative projects. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00-17:00. Address: No. 1-1, Shuiyuan Road, Fengyuan District, Taichung City. Contact phone: 04-25130177. Guided tours: ■ Available □ Not available ■ Reservation required. Reservation phone: 04-25130177. Other services: ■ DIY experience: 4-inch lacquer plates, necklaces, bird whistles, chopsticks DIY courses. Text and images provided by the Taichung City Industrial Story Museum Development Association.
