Huangtu Mountain - Craft Home Introduction
Bamboo Craft National Treasure Master Huang Tushan began learning bamboo weaving at the age of 14. In his early twenties, he established a bamboo processing factory, producing bamboo bags and baskets for both domestic and international markets. Over the past 50 years, he has taught more than 1,000 students, nurturing countless talents in Taiwan's bamboo weaving industry, making him a living history of Taiwanese bamboo weaving. ■ Japanese Colonial Era and Craftsmanship Master Diligence and simplicity are the first impressions of Huang Tushan. His home and studio in Zhu Shan Township are filled with bamboo woven works and awards. At the age of eighty, he retired from the Provincial Institute of Handicrafts more than a decade ago, earning the title of a national treasure master. Recalling his journey with bamboo arts, Huang Tushan, who grew up in Zhu Shan, mentioned that during the Japanese colonial period, over 13,000 acres of bamboo forests were planted in Zhu Shan. The bamboo skin is highly elastic and has excellent material properties, widely used in making daily utensils. Graduating from elementary school in the 13th year of the Showa era (1938), he spent three years at the bamboo crafting training center, laying the foundation for his bamboo arts. He then spent another year and a half learning the coarser forms of bamboo weaving. Shortly after his military service, World War II ended, and due to the Japanese military's return home needing many bamboo luggage cases, Huang Tushan began engaging in the trade of bamboo products. In 1953, after receiving two months of training in Nantou, he was assigned to teach at the Chiayi Craft School, beginning his journey in passing down bamboo art. ■ Cultivating Talents A Year later, the Nantou County Government established a craft research class in Caotun, and Huang Tushan returned to serve his hometown. At that time, it was the peak of handcrafted arts, and he fervently imparted his bamboo arts knowledge. After three years, many exceptional students emerged, including fifty indigenous students from Taitung and Hualien, fostering mutual teaching and creating new products like bamboo flower vases and lamps. Since 1953, Huang Tushan has been responsible for developing new products at various craft training centers in Chiayi, Nantou, Taichung, and Guanmiao, as well as at the Provincial Institute of Handicrafts and the Central Regional Testing Institute of the Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center. He worked on school-industry collaboration to teach bamboo processing techniques and often ventured overseas with agricultural teams to assist in local bamboo technology. Huang Tushan's bamboo weaving works include a variety of items, such as traditional utensils, flower vases, fruit plates, and lacquered bamboo ware. Even after retirement, he continued creating and passing on his craft, frequently invited to exhibit his works. Additionally, he serves as a lecturer for the bamboo weaving classes at Zhu Shan High School and the Institute of Handicrafts, effectively nurturing many talented students. ■ Retirement and Continued Work on a Display Center After decades of passing down bamboo arts, Huang Tushan has received the National Arts Heritage Award and the significant title of Important Folk Art Master. He remains active because he believes that "bamboo weaving requires creativity and manual skills. Continuing to create bamboo art is beneficial for one's health, and I have been connected with bamboo arts all my life. I hope this traditional craft can be passed down forever." Huang Tushan believes that Taiwan is rich in bamboo culture. From baby strollers, bamboo baskets, and chopsticks to bamboo rafts, bamboo bridges, bamboo handles for brushes, bamboo houses, bamboo beds, and bamboo bridges, bamboo shoots as a popular food in every household are also prevalent. In a society closely related to bamboo, there is a profound and inseparable emotion towards bamboo, providing continuous inspiration during creation. His greatest wish is to have more people appreciate bamboo art and continue to preserve this art of bamboo weaving that can be appreciated deeply, widely promoting it. He also plans to buy land to build a display center to showcase the beauty of bamboo art by masters. (Text and images from the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute)
