“Lacquerware requires dedication and experience, and Taiwan is lucky to have a master craftsman such as Mr Wang,” Su said. The government aims to promote the local lacquerware industry, allowing Taiwanese and visitors alike appreciate local artisan’s handicrafts, Su said. Su said he would instruct the Council of Agriculture to explore the possibility of growing local species of lacquer trees to shore up the local lacquer supply, instead of relying on imports. Wang and his sons have been influential in the local lacquerware industry. While lacquerware techniques largely came from Japan, local artisans had access to local Chinese lacquer trees and were not dependent on imports until increased labor costs and cheaper Vietnam imports shifted the market from local to overseas supplies, Wang said.

Source: Taipei Times December 19, 2019 15:56 UTC