Ironsmiths carry on in Taoyuan despite decline of farming economy
Ironsmiths carry on in Taoyuan despite decline of farming economy
2024-11-13
Now for a spotlight on one of Taiwan’s traditional crafts: iron smelting. Back when Taiwan had an agricultural economy, ironsmiths were in high demand. Areas like Beilong Road in Longtan District, Taoyuan, were filled with ironsmiths’ workshops. But as Taiwan’s economy shifts towards industry and manufacturing, the ironsmiths’ business has dried up. Now just two brothers surnamed Yeh remain in business on Beilong Road. But they still hope that members of the new generation might pick up their traditional craft, providing tools for the farmers of Taoyuan.
An electric saw spins at fast speed, grinding this iron tool down to an even surface. This ironsmith’s workshop in Longtan, Taoyuan, is run by Yeh Wen-chang, who, at the age of 83, still comes in to fire up the machines every day.
He’s been in business 60 years, now accompanied by not only his younger brothers but also his son. Next door is another ironsmith’s workshop.
This shop looks ready to be swallowed up by the sheer volume of metal tools on display. Sitting at the door is Yeh’s third brother, Yeh Pu-sheng. Many years ago he learned the art of ironworking from his brother, and now he runs his own workshop.
Yeh Pu-sheng
Ironsmith and fourth brother
It’s all good, whether work’s coming in or not. I’m old now. It doesn’t much matter if I’m working. I can never sell all this stuff anyway.
His tone of voice is full of resignation. Decades ago, when farming was the lifeblood of Taiwan, there was a long row of ironsmiths here on Longtan’s Beilong Road. Now the Yeh brothers are the only two left.
Customer
I’ve bought lots of things from him, hoes and so on. I’d always buy from him. That’s my habit. Other stores don’t have those things.
Customer
I’ve bought kitchen knives and hoes from them. They’re old stores.
Although the craft of ironmongery is in decline, there are still many farmers in Longtan District. Metal tools are still in demand, and these farmers are the Yeh brothers’ loyal patrons. This is a traditional industry in crisis, but the Yehs hope their skills will be picked up and carried forward by future generations.
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龍潭"鐵器大街"沒落只剩2家 8旬老鐵匠仍每天開店
2024-11-13
在桃園龍潭的北龍路上，過去整排幾乎都是鐵器行，如今只剩下兩家，而這兩家都是葉家兄弟的。大哥葉文章已經83歲，還是每早來開爐打鐵，弟弟和兒子也都來接棒；另外緊鄰隔壁的，是四弟獨自經營的店。雖然這行業逐漸沒落，但他們仍然堅持在這，在地也有不少民眾還是習慣向他們購買器具。
電磨機高速運轉，要把手上這鐵製器具，磨到最平整。這裡是桃園龍潭，一間打鐵行，老闆葉文章，雖然已經83歲，依舊天天來開爐打鐵。
開業已經60年，現在除了有弟弟持續打鐵，兒子也來接棒。不過，往旁邊一看，也是一間鐵製工坊。
幾乎要被鐵製器具給淹沒，用看的就相當驚人，坐在門口的，就是葉文章的四弟，葉步昇，當年和大哥學習打鐵後，現在獨自經營一間鐵製工坊。
[[四弟 葉步昇]]
"有打也好，沒打也好，老了，有做也好，沒做也好，反正賣也賣不完"
語氣中透露滿滿無奈，畢竟龍潭北龍路上，在過去農業時期，這裡一整排都是鐵器行，如今只剩下葉家兩間。
[[顧客]]
"我跟他買了也不少，鋤頭什麼，都跟他買，用習慣了啦，別家也沒有"
[[顧客]]
"(買過)菜刀，鋤頭啊，他們這個老店了"
雖然產業逐漸沒落，但龍潭地區還是有不少農民，對這些器具有需求，也就是葉家的老客戶們。傳統行業，不復當年，但這專業技能，葉家人還是很希望，能一代代傳承下去。
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