Ancient 'Splitting Incense Stick' Craft Revived at Chiayi Exhibition

The Chiayi City Cultural Affairs Bureau recently hosted a traditional craft exhibition at the Chiayi Municipal Museum, reviving the "pou xiang jiao" (splitting incense sticks) art form from the Yunxiao community. This event aimed to allow the public to experience the unique handmade cultural charm of Chiayi up close.

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Chiayi not only has wood culture but also contains many traditional crafts that are close to the land and people's lives. "Incense stick flowers" are not just a incense-making technique, but also the shared memories and emotions of generations of Chiayi people.

During the exhibition, incense splitting artisan Qiu Jinyun and traditional incense maker Cai Zengcheng demonstrated their skills. The process, transforming bamboo into incense sticks, allowed attendees to appreciate the meticulous and resilient spirit of craftsmanship. Local historian Wu Jiahua provided in-depth explanations of the Yunxiao ancient path's humanistic history, recalling the prosperous past of Chiayi's incense-making industry.

Chiayi Vice Mayor Lin Ruiyan emphasized that Chiayi's cultural heritage extends beyond its "wood capital" identity, encompassing many traditional crafts deeply connected to the land and people's lives. He stated that "incense stick flowers" represent not just a manufacturing technique but also the shared memories and emotions of generations of Chiayi residents. The "Chiayi Arts Festival" platform aims to bring this precious craft back into the spotlight, serving as a vital act of cultural preservation and encouraging younger generations to understand the historical depth and artisan spirit behind local culture.

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"Incense stick flowers" carry not only local industrial memories but are also an important microcosm of Taiwanese folk belief culture and common people's crafts.

Xie Yuzhe, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, added that "incense stick flowers" embody local industrial memories and are a significant microcosm of Taiwanese folk beliefs and common people's crafts. The exhibition, part of the Chiayi Arts Festival, uses dynamic displays, artisan narratives, and public participation to reintroduce a fading traditional craft to a wider audience, showcasing Chiayi's profound cultural energy. Wang Guangli, Chairman of the Neian Yunxiao Community Development Association, noted that the association has promoted this craft for over 30 years, emphasizing its presence in human stories and the warmth of handmade items. He hopes the artisans' live demonstrations and public interaction will help people rediscover Chiayi's deep humanistic foundation and experience the delicacy and beauty of traditional craftsmanship.

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This exhibition's craft has been promoted by the association's unremitting efforts for over 30 years. Such activities exist in people's stories and the warmth of handmade items.