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Visiting Old Streets / The Century-Old Handcrafted Incense of Lukang

 
General Report
 
"First, Fucheng; Second, Lukang; and Third, Monga." The small town of Lukang has witnessed the development of Taiwan's history, recording the bits and pieces of our ancestors' lives. The quaint red-brick paths and every single brick and tile are the pride of Lukang's people. As Taiwan’s first historic preservation district, it keeps its historical buildings intact; here, "people truly live within history." Walking through the town, one can deeply feel the vibrant vitality of this cultural tourism hub, filled with historic sites, ancient temples, and local snacks.
 


At Shih Chin Yu San Fang, the shop does more than just sell incense. The eighth-generation owner, Shih Yeh-chih, uses his passion and professional expertise to demonstrate and explain the manual incense-making process.
 
Standing in a temple amidst swirling smoke, holding a stick of pure incense with eyes gently closed, one piously prays and whispers their wishes to the gods. Faith and ritual are vital parts of Taiwanese culture; however, the incense-making industry—the trade closest to the gods—is gradually being forgotten by the public.
 
"Make good incense to form good connections; burn good incense to reap good fruits." Shih Chin Yu San Fang strictly adheres to this ancestral motto, never daring to be negligent in the production process. By insisting on using natural raw materials and handcrafted techniques, they have preserved a fragrance that has lasted over two hundred years, earning the prestigious reputation of "Lukang Incense."
 
Every handcrafted stick of incense must undergo three main stages: soaking, rolling, and drying. Through repeated cycles of dipping in water and applying materials, the master performs "Lun Xiang Shan" (fanning the incense)—a technique where the sticks are spread out like a fan. Using the strength of the thumb and forefinger (the tiger's mouth), the master ensures each bamboo stick rolls evenly to coat it with incense powder. The master must inspect the sticks throughout the process to ensure the incense burns smoothly without extinguishing.
 
The "Incense Meat" (the coating) is the soul of the product. Shih Chin Yu uses natural agarwood and sandalwood ground into powder, mixed with an ancestral spice formula. The resulting aroma is refreshing, mild, and does not irritate the nose.
 
Beyond selling incense products, Shih Chin Yu San Fang features the eighth-generation owner, Shih Yeh-chih, who provides passionate and professional demonstrations of the manual incense-making process. Visitors are welcome to come to the factory to experience making incense firsthand and appreciate the beauty of this century-old craft.
 
 
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