{"id":61804,"date":"2020-07-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-19T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=61804"},"modified":"2024-09-09T17:38:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T09:38:22","slug":"the-artistic-blacksmith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=61804","title":{"rendered":"The Artistic Blacksmith"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"61804\" class=\"elementor elementor-61804\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2952dffd elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2952dffd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2684aea9\" data-id=\"2684aea9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c31b39c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c31b39c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.1 - 13-11-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><strong>By Chen Shi-hui<\/strong><br \/>Abridged and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting<br \/>Photos by Alberto Buzzola<br \/>Used with permission of <em>Rhythms Monthly<\/em> magazine<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-601728df elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"601728df\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2400b3eb\" data-id=\"2400b3eb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72a77a3f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"72a77a3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.1 - 13-11-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#2c2c2c;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;-webkit-box-flex:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f78261c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1f78261c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4f2f9218\" data-id=\"4f2f9218\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e4784f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e4784f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><strong>This is a story of a blacksmith from an impoverished background who won respect and admiration for his work by dint of his incessant efforts and an unflinching pursuit for excellence and perfection.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2d3d23ef elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2d3d23ef\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d9be3fa\" data-id=\"d9be3fa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5deaa90f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5deaa90f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4897dca7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4897dca7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17d20db8\" data-id=\"17d20db8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65a5b0d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"65a5b0d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.1 - 13-11-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-43-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6a81e9a elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6a81e9a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-380e23fd\" data-id=\"380e23fd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39d1d625 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39d1d625\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u201c<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-698f2aa5 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"698f2aa5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2695561e\" data-id=\"2695561e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a1349a6 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a1349a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Be sure that the two pieces fit evenly together so that the place where they connect won\u2019t curve inward,\u201d said a swarthy, squat man as he inspected the craftsmanship of one worker after another in an ironworks in New Taipei City, northern Taiwan. His voice was neither sonorous nor demanding, but because he could always pinpoint the flaws of a work-in-progress, everyone in the factory followed his directions without protest.<\/p><p>The turnover rate for blacksmiths is relatively high, but this ironworks is an exception. The owner, Zeng Wen-chang (\u66fe\u6587\u660c)\u2014the swarthy, squat man\u2014is the reason why.<\/p><p>Chen Yu-jia (\u9673\u80b2\u5609), 24, is one of the blacksmiths employed at the workshop. His family owns an ironworks, but he had no interest in blacksmithing or taking over his family business until, on the eve of his graduation from university, he chanced upon some works Zeng had posted on Facebook. \u201cWow,\u201d Chen thought, looking at the photos. \u201cHow is it possible for him to take an ordinary staircase and turn it into a work of art?\u201d<\/p><p>With his father\u2019s permission, Chen applied for a job at Zeng\u2019s factory before he had even completed his compulsory military service. As soon as he was discharged from the military, he reported to work at the ironworks. He was among those mentioned at the beginning of this article whose work was being inspected by Zeng. Zeng had asked him to take apart and redo something he had just soldered together. Despite being critiqued for his workmanship, Chen wasn\u2019t in the least bothered. In fact, just the opposite: he savored working under Zeng and learning from him.<\/p><p>Liu Qi-yang (\u5289\u555f\u6698), 25, is another young craftsman in the workshop. He is a creative person, whether he is playing guitar, performing with his band, or making something with his hands. Zeng thinks he has a natural talent for blacksmithing, but like many creative people, he has quite a temper too. One time he was caught red-handed skipping the standard operating procedure prescribed by Zeng. The young man felt so humiliated he quit on the spot.<\/p><p>Two weeks later, however, Liu swallowed his pride and asked to be taken back. He had already landed a new job, but he couldn\u2019t bear working there. \u201cMy new boss approved of everything I made,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut I knew full well that none of it would ever pass muster with Boss Zeng.\u201d Zeng is quite a perfectionist, and Liu had obviously acquired the same high standards. For Liu, working for someone less discerning just wouldn\u2019t do.<\/p><p>Everyone who knows Zeng knows him to be hard-working, thoughtfully attentive to detail, and bent on pursuing the best. Mrs. Xie was one of his clients. Zeng\u2019s workmanship can be seen throughout her house in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan, from the outdoor parking space, the wrought-iron fence around the front yard, the hanging staircase in the living room, and the book case in the study. \u201cWe never had to oversee Zeng\u2019s work while he was at it because he always demanded more of himself than we did of him.\u201d<\/p><p>Mrs. Xie recounted how Zeng would first make a piece and then make repeated adjustments until everything fit perfectly, and how his creations were sturdy and strong without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. When it came to dealing with the arch-enemy of metals\u2014moisture\u2014Zeng shunned the easy solution of using water-proof paint, like many others did. \u201cInstead, after making sure everything fit perfectly and worked well, he\u2019d have the entire assembly\u2014I mean the entire piece,\u201d Mrs. Xie repeated for emphasis, \u201csent in for galvanizing. This was to prevent rust from starting in places like the screws, thus thwarting future hard-to-fix leaks before they could form.\u201d<\/p><p>Word spread through the grapevine of Zeng\u2019s fine craftsmanship and his conscientious pursuit of quality. As his reputation grew, so did the line of people that wanted to order his creations. Once in a single neighborhood, more than ten house owners were queuing for his services. They were willing to wait as long as nearly two years\u2014an indication of the craftsmanship he offers.<\/p><p>Everyone who has worked with him, including homeowners, interior designers, contractors, and government workers, has nothing but accolades for him. When asked why everyone raves about his work attitude and the quality he delivers, he said shyly, \u201cI\u2019m just an ordinary metal worker\u2014it\u2019s just that I take my work very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dea05d7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dea05d7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b1fa58e\" data-id=\"b1fa58e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac5b88c elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"ac5b88c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;justified&quot;,&quot;ideal_row_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:350,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:5,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ideal_row_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:325,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ideal_row_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:500,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor-pro - v3.6.4 - 15-03-2022 *\/\n.elementor-gallery__container{min-height:1px}.elementor-gallery-item{position:relative;overflow:hidden;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:solid var(--image-border-width) 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.elementor-gallery__item-overlay-bg,.e-gallery-item:hover .elementor-gallery__item-overlay-content,.e-gallery-item:hover .elementor-gallery__item-overlay-content__description,.e-gallery-item:hover .elementor-gallery__item-overlay-content__title{opacity:1}a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title{color:var(--galleries-title-color-normal)}a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title.elementor-item-active,a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title.highlighted,a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title:focus,a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title:hover{color:var(--galleries-title-color-hover)}a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title.elementor-item-active{color:var(--gallery-title-color-active)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-42.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"all-ac5b88c\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"1\" e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjE2NTksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC90Y21vbnRobHkudHp1Y2hpY3VsdHVyZS5vcmcudHdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL3NpdGVzXC84XC8yMDI0XC8wOVwvMTEyLTQyLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImFsbC1hYzViODhjIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-42.jpg\" data-width=\"1440\" data-height=\"960\" alt=\"\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-41.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"all-ac5b88c\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"2\" e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjE2NTgsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC90Y21vbnRobHkudHp1Y2hpY3VsdHVyZS5vcmcudHdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL3NpdGVzXC84XC8yMDI0XC8wOVwvMTEyLTQxLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImFsbC1hYzViODhjIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-41.jpg\" data-width=\"1440\" data-height=\"960\" alt=\"\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c273762 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c273762\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zeng Wen-chang and employees in his ironworks shop work on a bus stop shelter in the shape of a whale tail (Photo 1). A young worker welds components of the bus stop shelter (Photo 2).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8715b7d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8715b7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1290308 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1290308\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-43b51cc\" data-id=\"43b51cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e6cdc9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1e6cdc9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-40-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-981a6f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"981a6f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Welding is a basic blacksmithing skill. A good metal worker can, with an excellent control of temperature and timing, create a piece that bears few or no welding marks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7e0268 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c7e0268\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72ba9e5d elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72ba9e5d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-33a24510\" data-id=\"33a24510\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-140d67f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"140d67f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>Inconspicuous<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-587a99b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"587a99b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you have ever had your house decorated or renovated, you might remember employing the service of a mason, a carpenter, a plumber, or an electrician. But have you ever encountered a blacksmith? More often than not, the response to this question will be a blank stare in return.<\/p><p>Compared with the other related trade workers mentioned above, the role of an ironsmith in the field of interior decoration seems a lot less conspicuous. This might have to do with the comparatively low percentage of iron materials used in interior decoration. \u201cBesides, to be honest, the work of a blacksmith is also more dangerous than that of the other kinds of workers,\u201d said Zeng. \u201cThe material we work with is heavy and cumbersome. We can easily get crushed moving things around. The risk of burn injuries from welding is high too. That\u2019s why we often feel that our work is the roughest and toughest among all workers in the construction trades.\u201d<\/p><p>Given the seeming \u201cunattractiveness\u201d of the work, why did he become a blacksmith in the first place?<\/p><p>Zeng is where he is today because of his impoverished background. He said that his family was so destitute that he was already borrowing money as an elementary school student on behalf of his mother to keep his family going. Later, when an older relative got him a job at an ironworks factory, Zeng went for it, feeling that he didn\u2019t have much of a choice.<\/p><p>When he first started and was still getting familiar with the tools he had to use, he\u2019d often burn his face when using a welder, leaving behind patch after patch of frightening pink flesh. But he kept at it, and never gave up. One time, he even fell off a sheet metal roof that he was working on. He hit his head hard and was knocked unconscious on the spot. He still gets dizzy spells as an aftereffect from that fall.<\/p><p>Thankfully, those hard days are now behind him. Building countless sheet metal structures and installing innumerable steel doors has taught him the solid skills required of an excellent ironworker. His days of apprenticeship long past, he\u2019s come into his own as a master blacksmith and set up a shop of his own.<\/p><p>For a long time, there wasn\u2019t much of a demand in Taiwan for his superior skills and workmanship. Before the 1970s, hand-forged wrought-iron windows noted for their decorative appeal could often be seen in the countryside and urban areas of Taiwan. However, when Taiwan\u2019s economy began to take off in the 1970s, the ironworks were gradually replaced by standardized, mass-produced metal windows and doors that were better at deterring burglars. Even though Zeng was eager to try his hand at commissions that could allow his skills and creativity to come to full play, such opportunities were hard to come by.<\/p><p>The pendulum began to swing back a couple of decades later when the industrial style began to gain popularity in Taiwan\u2019s interior design circles. Many ironworkers started to get commissions for things other than traditional doors, windows, and sheet metal buildings. To a certain extent, Zeng had been preparing for this day for a long time. The spring of his life had finally come.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-33ac58b elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"33ac58b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d0606c\" data-id=\"9d0606c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f39a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b1f39a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-39-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a5e5a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a5e5a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Hot-dip galvanizing is a technology often employed in advanced countries to prevent corrosion and rust in an iron or steel piece. Xiao Sheng-yan (\u856d\u52dd\u5f65), who owns a galvanizing plant, says that only people like Zeng Wen-chang, who put a premium on the quality of their work, have their entire pieces of finished metal work processed with hot-dip galvanizing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67fa7fd elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"67fa7fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3e8d5b63 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3e8d5b63\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b2f239f\" data-id=\"b2f239f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ee70699 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ee70699\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>Taking wing<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2af0f64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2af0f64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With the popularity of the industrial style, \u201cthe variety of stuff we can try our hand at has become a lot richer,\u201d Zeng said. \u201cTake staircases, which have become sort of a signature of my team. There are L-shaped staircases, hanging staircases, spiral, and so on. Each kind is different and brings new challenges.\u201d Zeng began to gain fame in his field after successfully completing a few commissions that others felt were beyond their ability and had not dared take on. Increasingly, designers sought him out to transform their wilder ideas into reality.<\/p><p>Interior designer Lin Yin-you (\u6797\u6bb7\u53f3) has known Zeng for over a decade. He said that because of Zeng\u2019s demand for precision, \u201che always recalculates the measurements we provide him. He carefully deliberates on all the load-bearing elements of a structure, too. More importantly, he is good at balancing a designer\u2019s imagination and sensibility with his rationality and practicality. But what makes me admire him the most is that when he encounters designs that are more unusual, he never responds with: \u2018This is impractical. The idea is impossible to carry out!\u2019 Instead, he\u2019ll think hard on how to make things work. He regards every assignment as an opportunity to explore his creativity.\u201d Out of admiration for him, Lin said, some of his associates in the design circles secretly call him \u201cIron God.\u201d<\/p><p>If the popularity of the industrial style in Taiwan allowed Zeng to break the mold of a traditional blacksmith and gave him the opportunity to explore a new world, the Internet has given him wings with which he\u2019s soared.<\/p><p>Zeng set up his first-ever blog with a friend\u2019s help more than ten years ago. Keeping it up to date was natural for him. He had started keeping a daily work journal as an apprentice, in which he\u2019d record what he was learning and feeling. With the launch of his blog, all he needed was to transfer his practice from pen and paper to digital. The blog brought him and his works to the attention of many people. People who needed the services of an ironworker began contacting him directly or telling their designers that they wanted Zeng to craft their metal pieces.<\/p><p>\u201cTraditionally, most of the clientele of an ironworks are passersby,\u201d Zeng explained. \u201cOnly a small percentage comes through references from designers. But the Internet has opened a door through which we can establish direct contact with the market.\u201d Surprisingly, though the opportunities for a blacksmith to demonstrate his skills have become richer, Zeng said one doesn\u2019t necessarily make more money from commissions for furniture or designer items than for iron windows and sheet metal buildings. The designer work requires more hours and extra work, especially if a blacksmith has a high demand for quality. Many blacksmiths have therefore gone back to making sheet metal buildings where they can make money more quickly.<\/p><p>A project Zeng\u2019s workshop was working on during the writing of this article serves as a prime example. The project was a bus stop shelter in the shape of a whale\u2019s tail. Due to budget constraints, the designer\u2019s original plan was to make the tail partly of tempered glass and partly of braided steel strips. But after Zeng saw the design, he blurted out: \u201cWouldn\u2019t it be better to make it entirely of braided steel strips? The end product would look so much better.\u201d As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized he\u2019d have to absorb the additional costs if his suggestion was taken. But even so, he didn\u2019t regret making the suggestion. In the end, the designer adopted his design, and he had to absorb the additional costs.<\/p><p>Another example was a commission for the entrance gate at Sinpu Elementary School in New Taipei City. Sinpu is a public school and had a limited budget for the gate. They settled for a gate they could afford, but Zeng increased the thickness of some of the steel plates in the door to make the gate sturdier and better-looking. He made the changes without charging the school any extra money for it. He was willing to sacrifice his profit to deliver the best for the schoolchildren. School principal Li Ming-jie (\u674e\u660e\u6770) said, \u201cWe are really indebted to Boss Zeng. Thanks to him, we now have a gate that is both beautiful and easy to push.\u201d<\/p><p>\u201cMy wife is always asking me how come I\u2019m not making much money even though I seem to be so busy,\u201d Zeng said with a wry smile. \u201cI wish things were different too, but I can\u2019t help it. I just keep on doing things that look kind of foolish. There must be a screw loose in me somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1b06f6f elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1b06f6f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-590b888\" data-id=\"590b888\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af1c21d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"af1c21d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-35-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1dd18d8\" data-id=\"1dd18d8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76a71f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"76a71f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Hong family\u2019s living room in northern Taiwan looks livelier because of a slide, custom-made by Zeng and his team.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac4fc4e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ac4fc4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ff98299 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"5ff98299\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;zoomIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5fb1708\" data-id=\"5fb1708\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5c9c23 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f5c9c23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Metal Pieces That Demonstrate Skilled Workmanship<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e47dfa elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"0e47dfa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;justified&quot;,&quot;ideal_row_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:393,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:5,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ideal_row_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:350,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ideal_row_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:130,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-37.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"all-0e47dfa\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"1\" e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjE2NTQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC90Y21vbnRobHkudHp1Y2hpY3VsdHVyZS5vcmcudHdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL3NpdGVzXC84XC8yMDI0XC8wOVwvMTEyLTM3LmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImFsbC0wZTQ3ZGZhIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-37.jpg\" data-width=\"1440\" data-height=\"960\" alt=\"\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-36.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"all-0e47dfa\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"2\" e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjE2NTMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC90Y21vbnRobHkudHp1Y2hpY3VsdHVyZS5vcmcudHdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL3NpdGVzXC84XC8yMDI0XC8wOVwvMTEyLTM2LmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImFsbC0wZTQ3ZGZhIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-36.jpg\" data-width=\"1440\" data-height=\"960\" alt=\"\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-38.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"all-0e47dfa\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"3\" e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjE2NTUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC90Y21vbnRobHkudHp1Y2hpY3VsdHVyZS5vcmcudHdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL3NpdGVzXC84XC8yMDI0XC8wOVwvMTEyLTM4LmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImFsbC0wZTQ3ZGZhIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-38.jpg\" data-width=\"960\" data-height=\"1440\" alt=\"\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27f4776 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"27f4776\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The creation of refined metal pieces depends on precise measurements and exquisite craftsmanship. Beautiful examples include the hanging staircase (Photo 1), the book case made of iron and wood (Photo 3), and the wrought-iron fence (Photo 2), all of which are Zeng\u2019s handiwork.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-36887ac elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"36887ac\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1977aab7\" data-id=\"1977aab7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-140f5994 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"140f5994\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>The Great Ironworker Age<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ec7385a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ec7385a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cIn my boss\u2019s mind, there are always things more important than making money,\u201d said Zhang Chao-yu (\u5f35\u671d\u5b87), 35, the second oldest worker at Zeng\u2019s factory. Once an employee at a design company, Zhang has a lot of fun working with Zeng. \u201cHe likes to try new things,\u201d Zhang added. \u201cHe gets more excited bringing his work to a better, higher level than making money.\u201d<\/p><p>What captures Zhang\u2019s heart even more is that his boss has the good of his employees at heart. Boss Zeng knows that Zhang is not that young any more and that his fianc\u00e9 lives alone in Changhua, central Taiwan. \u201cBoss Zeng always encourages me to return to my hometown when I\u2019ve learned the requisite skills for being a blacksmith here and set up a shop of my own,\u201d Zhang remarked.<\/p><p>Another employee, Chen Yu-jia, comes from a family that owns an ironworks in Keelung, northern Taiwan. Zeng knows Chen will eventually go back to his hometown and take over his family business there, but he holds nothing back from him. He shares everything he knows with him, just like he does with everyone who works for him.<\/p><p>\u201cHe [Zeng] is the reason why I decided to take up and stay in this trade,\u201d Chen Yu-jia declared. In addition to being a good boss, \u201che set up an unconventional model of success and makes us feel that blacksmithing is a profession we can be proud of.\u201d<\/p><p>Making blacksmithing a profession people can be proud of is a goal Zeng has been working toward for decades. Blacksmithing is not a conventionally glamorous occupation, and some may look down on it as lowly manual labor. Zeng\u2019s mission is to change that. \u201cI believe that no matter the profession,\u201d he said, \u201cone deserves respect as long as one works hard and does his best to cultivate his professional skills and expertise.\u201d<\/p><p>The desire to change society\u2019s traditional perception of ironworkers is a driving force that keeps him improving his workmanship. He has also published a book, the content of which comes from his blog and Facebook page, and has set up a website with other blacksmiths around Taiwan. The website, named \u201cThe Great Ironworker Age,\u201d showcases examples of metal work and demonstrates how, with the help of refined craftsmanship, a conventional metal item can be transformed into a work of art.<\/p><p>\u201cWe don\u2019t just meet in cyberspace,\u201d Zeng said of the blacksmiths that have joined the website. \u201cWe meet in real life too\u2014at dinner parties for example.\u201d Participating blacksmiths invite their wives, children, or girlfriends to the gatherings too. By listening to or taking part in the conversations exchanged during the gatherings, family members get to know the professional side of being a blacksmith. They learn that being a blacksmith is not a low-level job, but a dignified occupation that requires professional skills and knowledge.<\/p><p>The website has entered its second year and now boasts a membership of more than 2,800. It bears witness to how a group of blacksmiths are forging a path for themselves and creating a \u201cGreat Ironworker Age.\u201d Zeng, a major player behind the movement, is happy to see it. In the company of his fellow blacksmiths, he will continue on, seeking to improve his skills, in pursuit of his best work, and to advance the profession for future blacksmiths in Taiwan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-33faf3f elementor-section-full_width elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"33faf3f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7eaded2f\" data-id=\"7eaded2f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3952d086 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3952d086\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zeng crafted the entrance gate of Sinpu Elementary School in Banciao, New Taipei City.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f5280e2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3f5280e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-48fbac1e\" data-id=\"48fbac1e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-292a430a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"292a430a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/112-44-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-425f5cfe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"425f5cfe\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-63f9893c\" data-id=\"63f9893c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-269d865f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"269d865f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"189\" height=\"170\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/07\/\u82f1\u6587\u9801\u5c3e-2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a story of a blacksmith from an impoverished background who won respect and admiration for his work by din\u2026 <a class=\"text-right\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=61804\"><span class=\"text\">Read More <\/span><span class=\"arrow\">\u00bb<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"pmpro_default_level":0,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[1741],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Artistic Blacksmith - Tzu Chi Bimonthly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=61804\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"zh_TW\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Artistic Blacksmith - Tzu Chi Bimonthly\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This is a story of a 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