Chinese Name: 陳景聰
Born: 1959
Birthplace: Tainan (Southern Taiwan)
Did You Know That…?
In 2020, Chen Ching-tsung was recognized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government as a preserver of traditional brush-making heritage.
Chen began his journey of craft at the age of 16, when his cousin introduced him to an apprenticeship at a calligraphy brush manufacturing factory. At the time, Chinese calligraphy was a compulsory subject in schools, resulting in an annual demand of three to four million brushes, particularly as students prepared for the new school year in September. To meet this high demand, each brush maker at the factory was required to produce up to 4,000 brushes each month.
Later, when the factory relocated to Taichung, Chen moved with it. After the factory owner eventually moved to Taipei, Chen took over the business, which by then had dwindled to just two old glass cabinets. Throughout his fifty-year career, Chen witnessed the decline of Taiwan’s once-thriving brush-making industry.
The decline in brush making can be attributed primarily to curriculum changes in schools, where Chinese calligraphy was no longer required. Chen observed that more than half of the brush makers switched their job, and the demand for related products like paper and ink stones also fell sharply. Moreover, the influx of inexpensive Chinese-made brushes further exacerbated the situation, contributing to a rapid downturn in the local market during the 1980s.
Despite the challenges, Chen remained dedicated to his craft and never considered a career change. During that time, Japan popularized the tradition of making “first hair brushes (胎毛筆)” from a baby’s first haircut. Chen embraced this trend and developed similar products. His craftsmanship and reliability won customer trust, enabling him to sustain a livelihood. This experience deepened his commitment to preserving traditional brush-making techniques.
“We each only have one chance in our lives to make a first hair brush, because it must be made from hair that has never been cut,” he explained. Hair from infants aged two to three months is ideal due to its softness and length, though he has also experimented with hair from a baby’s first birthday.
By age 65, Chen had fully mastered every detail of brush-making. Concerned about the industry’s future, he established a studio in the Cultural Heritage Park of the Ministry of Culture in Taichung, hoping to attract young people interested in learning this traditional craft.
Chen has observed that brush-making techniques have evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from simple methods to a sophisticated and refined craft. He noted that Taiwan’s craftsmanship once surpassed that of neighboring countries like China, Japan, and South Korea. However, the rise of digital technologies caused a steep decline in traditional brush production, resulting a significant decrease in the number of the artisans in the field. Today, with fewer than 10 brush makers remaining, Chen warns that the craft may face extinction within the next five years.
He emphasized that traditional brush-making is a meticulous, entirely hand-crafted process without the use of machines. While this method may be slow, it ensures a high level of safety and quality. With this expertise, artisans can establish their own studios and even create customized products, such as vegan brushes made with plant-based fibers.
Chen was recognized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government as a preserver of traditional brush-making heritage in 2020. Aspiring to pass on his knowledge, he continues to run courses and workshops, introducing the beauty of this traditional craft to future generations.