Joss Stick

Joss Stick Excursion

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)