It has
been nice; since we have been here there have been several community excursions
that we have been able to partake on. I know that I have mentioned the Duck
Tour in my last entry, but even during the day they have things for whoever is
able to attend. I went on one of these excursions to a manufacture of Joss
Stick.
What is
Joss Stick you may be wondering, it is a type of plant material, such as
wood/leaf pulp, that is combined with oils to be molded into different forms or
products. I am sure that you have seen, smelt or used incense at one time… that
is a form of Joss Stick, however that plant material can be molded and shaped
into larger items. Many of these larger items could be used for decoration or
burning or ceremonial and more. You name they can shape it (with impeccable detail!). The individuals/artists
that work at this manufacturing facility have been doing this work for a couple
of generations and from my understanding, it is slowly becoming a lost art…
minus the incense making. Oh, and when I say manufacturing facility… don’t
think it’s large industrial building, it is a small storefront in a strip mall
of sorts. It has neighboring automobile and motorcycle maintenance stores.How they make it...
They have a supplier of the premade 'slabs'/'sheets' of Joss, then they sculpt the figure and just air dry it...Easy right!?! The detail they put into this to me would not be that easy!!!
Oh forgot to mention this manufacture typically has a 6 - 10 month wait... as mentioned they seem to be one of the few artists.
Below are several pictures of either the gentlemen making the products and different items they have sculpted.
Hope you're enjoying my blog!
Please note some research above was from Wikipedia
stuff Joss Stick is made of
(wild cinnamon tree)
Joss Stick artist at work
Joss Stick artist at work on Asian Water Carrier
Joss Stick artist at work on Asian Water Carrier
Joss Stick artist at work on Asian Water Carrier
Joss Stick artist at work on Asian Water Carrier
(photo of finished product below)
Despicable Me Minion
(Minions are everywhere here?!)
Asian Water Carrier
(finished product of above in process pictures)
small Asian influenced nativity
a mouse of some sort
(not familiar with him)
Pirate maybe?!? Arh
Asian Fisher
Asian influenced nativity
not sure on this one either
(he was outside drying)
