The public visited the "Lamp, Guidance of Faith" craft exhibition in the Martial Arts Field of the Hsinchu Juvenile Prison.

(Provided by Bamboo City Government)

[Reporter Huang Meizhu/Hsinchu Report] To welcome the Lantern Festival after the new year, the Martial Arts Field of Hsinchu Juvenile Criminal Institution, a historic site in Hsinchu City, will hold a special craft exhibition of "Lamps, Guidance of Faith" from now until April 30, featuring the unique crafts of Hsinchu City Umbrella lanterns and lanterns are the themes, presenting Hsinchu’s religious beliefs that nurtured the craftsmanship of making “lanterns”, and then derived customs such as “welcoming lanterns” and “sacrificing lanterns”.

The Cultural Bureau of the Municipal Government also stated that along with the skills and activities of lanterns and welcoming lanterns, the "Festival Lantern Competition" that follows is also inseparable from beliefs such as temples. The works of Xiao Zagan, a lantern maker, will also be exhibited simultaneously.

Please read on...

With his enthusiasm for lantern art, Xiao Zagan has been creating lanterns for decades. He has won the "National Craft Award" from the Ministry of Culture and the "Craft Design Award" from the Dream of Craftsmanship. Guarantee" special award. His exquisite craftsmanship and meticulous works are enough to be a generation of lighting masters, adding to the spectacle of this special exhibition.

The Cultural Bureau of the Municipal Government stated that this special exhibition was inspired by temple lanterns, and showcased the production process of local lanterns in Hsinchu, the professional attitude and life experience of lantern craftsmen.

Among them, "lantern making" used to be the source of livelihood for some families in Hsinchu City. With the evolution of the times and changes in the production structure, the lantern craft has gradually entered history.

For believers, hanging lanterns in front of the temple is a guide to bring light to the common people, and it is their worship idea dedicated to the gods, praying for peace and prosperity.

Lanterns are indispensable to the people, from daily visits to worshiping gods and festivals, resulting in rich and diverse forms.

Fuzhou-style umbrella lights are the most common in Hsinchu. As the name suggests, opening a lantern is like opening an umbrella. It can be folded into a smaller volume, and the skeleton can be reused.

Among them, the works of Xie Shuimu, the late local and award-winning umbrella lamp craftsman, are the most praised, and you can also appreciate them in this special exhibition.

The "Mingguan Lantern" located on Chang'an Avenue has been passed down to the fifth generation and still insists on making umbrella lamps with traditional manufacturing methods.

As for the Quanzhou-style lanterns of Wu Yide, the son of Wu Dunhou, the national treasure of Lukang folk culture, which is well-known at home and abroad, this time we also participated in the grand event, allowing more people to see the various aspects of lanterns through the special exhibition.

The materials and tools for making lanterns are exhibited in the "Lamp, Guidance of Faith" craft exhibition in the Martial Arts Field of the Hsinchu Juvenile Prison.

(Provided by Bamboo City Government)

The "Lamp, Guidance of Faith" craft exhibition provides on-site guided tours.

(Provided by Bamboo City Government)

Hsinchu Municipal Historic Site Hsinchu Juvenile Prison Martial Arts Field.

(Provided by Bamboo City Government)

Hsinchu Juvenile Prison Martial Arts Field "Lamp, Guidance of Faith" craft exhibition, exhibited lantern master ~ Xiao Zaigan's works.

(Provided by Bamboo City Government)