December 3, 2010

Gods’ Garment Embroidery Factory

Religion is one of the essential cultures in Taiwan. A variety of traditional folk deities are placed in the temples or in the homes for worshipping or family blessing. The splendid colors and delicate embroidery deities’ garments have become public attention. Seventy percent of Taiwan’s deities’ garments are produced in the “Shen-Fu, Creative of Embroidery” factory in Puzi, Chiayi County. (嘉義縣朴子市) Once we entered the factory, I was attracted by all the vivid colors and cute mini deities’ clothes on the display counter. From there, Taiwanese traditional folk religious deities’ garments are no longer far away from me to feel, touch, and own. “Shen-Fu Creative of Embroidery” (神斧) has changed my look of Taiwanese deities garments from a mystery religious piece to a gorgeous art piece.

Shen-Fu is operated by the third generation of the family. Three brothers of the family utilized their creative skills to develop all kinds of deities’ clothes, hats, belts, and flags for different events and needs. They not only pass on the traditional religious, but also make it to attract younger generations to discover the fun side of religious.

I found the mini deities clothes are the cutest. According to the legend, the garments that deities worn can bring luck and expel evils. Parents ask for these worn clothes in the temples for their children to keep for these reasons. These mini garments are made with different colors for different deities. I bought a “Good luck orange mini deity clothes” (NT150/$5). They told me the orange clothes can be worn by all kinds of deities. Each mini clothes comes with a description, a cute container, and a well-design store bag.

Here is the factory in the back making the embroidery garments. The process is pretty complicated, which includes drafting, picking colors, sewing, hand embroidery, coating, sewing again, and quality control.

The workers are so friendly, but busy. Many buyers were there, workers took time to assist each one of them in selecting the garment to fit their needs. Generally speaking, the garment of the deity can be replaced every 10 years or for different events. The worn clothes usually are placed in the back of the cars to protect driver’s safety. Do not toss the garments as they said; they are better being off to burn.

Here are the various accessories for the deities, such as hats, belts, flag… and so on.

The customer brings its own deity statue here. He or she can either choose the already made garment or the custom made by carefully measuring the size, heights, and widths of the deity from the Master. Customer can also select the accessories. Masters will carefully put them on.

I found Shen-Fu products very creative, fun, attractive, and impressive. This factory not only promotes its business in order to attract tourists, but also turns this place into a local folk art and culture exhibition center.

Shen Fu website

Address: No.211, Bowen St., Puzi City, Chiayi County

Telephone: 05-3706384 Read More

16 comments:

Unknown said...

What are the things that you should carefully consider when going ahead to buy personal embroidery machine - All about the embroidery and personal embroidery machine

San said...

這樣的家族手藝可以世世代代相傳
真是難得
只有這樣子,
這樣的文化再會延續下去

Rafael Lam said...

Very special traditional folk deities, those clothes are so colorful and beautiful!
I hope can visit this folk art and culture exhibition center someday!

London Caller said...

Religion is indeed a very lucrative business!
People spend a lot of money each year on "paper money".
But these days, it's not just "paper money", you can also find "TV", "Rolex watch", "laptop", etc.

Jean said...

Another interesting post. While yes, it is making money but also those who started it up probably love doing it.

micki and kristen said...

@San- Ditto! They not only keep the tradition, but also added creativity~~

@Rafael- Thanks! Don't forget to add Shen Fu on your visiting list too! ;)

@Londoncaller- Paper Money making process is another interesting subject to be discovered!

@Jean- Thanks! I admire those who keep on going for their passion

London Caller said...

Ha ha... Sometimes it's easier to deal business with dead people!
I'm amazed that people can spend so much on coffins - which will be buried or burnt in fire.
I saw some eco-coffins in London, made from cardboard. Maybe I should order one for myself?

micki and kristen said...

@Londoncaller- That is pretty silly, ha~~

PH said...

I just discovered your website
GREAT,really Great

micki and kristen said...

Hi, PH, thanks for visiting us and your comment~ :)

Jack Warn said...

I really like the way in which writer has encouraged us to share our point of views on this article and happy to see the active participation of readers on this.

David Smith said...

Contents of this website are good and appreciative. Congratulation

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Julia Robert said...

Good blog and the post above is awesome. I just came to know that Taiwan is also famous for embroidery digitizing. Good job.

Rohit said...

Good blog and Taiwan is good for sewing machines good job....

Stuff said...

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Stuff said...

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