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FYI SOUTH Magazine, August 2003. VOL.3 ISSUE 8

Chuan Jia Qi Mu 63, RungHe Village, Zuojhen, Tainan County (06) 573-1922

        Located right beside Provincial Highway No. 20, the road that leads from Tainan City to Chiahsien and the mountains beyond, and near Tsailiao's Fossil Museum, is a store selling tea tables hewn from huge pieces of wood. The boss, Mr. Luo, and his family were born and raised in the area. They are members of one of Taiwan's Pingpu (lowland aborigine) tribes, and are full of interesting stories of the areas history and geography. Mr. Luo says his business is 12 years old, and adds that demand tends to follow the ups and downs of the overall economy. Mr. Luo is also a self-taught carver and was attracted to the profession because of his love for wood. He professes to have the ability to see shapes in the wood and bring them out. Despite their bulk, the tables are elegant and attractive: Most are made from cypress or juniper trees. Also for sale are wood sculptures carved by well-known artists. Prices range from thousands to millions of dollars; special pieces can be ordered.