Production Procedure＞ Production of Shenjiang Frame

Production of Shenjiang Frame

1.Introduction

The frame of Shenjiang, made of bamboo, is an oval-shaped hollow bamboo shelf. It is called “Jiangye skeleton” or “Jiangye shelf” in southern Taiwan. In Luzhou, people call it a “bamboo cage frame”. The moso bamboos cut at the end of fall are considered the best for the frame since bamboos of that season do not have insect decay. The master has to start the production as soon as the bamboo is cut.

2.Production Steps

Step 1: Dry the bamboo.
Step 2: Split the bamboo evenly and rub the edge to prevent stabbing.
Step 3: Bend the bamboo and slightly roast it.
Step 4: Strengthen fixed area with strong glue.

Step 5: Strengthen the shoulder pad to boost the shoulder of Shenjiang. Even a large Shenjiang would look listless with drooping shoulders. Therefore, a large sponge is also used to cut a hole about the size of a head and put on the top of the frame around the neck place; it makes the Shenjiang look dashing and mighty.

 

3.Perspectives:

Po-hung Wang: I never knew the frame of Shenjiang was also called Jiangye skeleton or Jiangye shelf, I also did not know it was made of bamboo. I thought it was made of plastic for reducing the weight. Now I understand the framemaker’s intention.
Yuang-ting Tseng: I used to think the frame of a Shenjiang statue was made of plastic until now; it is actually made of bamboo. Admirable! I’ve never known that not only is fine work required for the outer part of the Shenjiang, but also is needed for the inner part. Shenjiang statues are really the brainchild of all masters!
Pin-Yu Wu: I realized that a great Shenjiang statue is made of many good materials, such as moso bamboo. I think it must cost a lot of money for such excellent material. I also think it must require a lot of labor to plant and cut the moso bamboo; therefore, it must cost a lot of time and labor to make a perfect Shenjiang statue!

Hsin-yu Li: Originally, I thought the frame must not made of bamboo for the weight concern, but it really is made of bamboo; it is even made of the prime moso bamboo! I didn’t know it took such fine work even with inner details. From that I learned, the masters of Shenjiang statues must put in a lot of effort.
Min-hsien Hsu: I thought it has only one name, the frame of Shenjiang, but now I learn it also has other names, such as Jiangye frame, Jiangye shelf, and bamboo cage frame. Besides, I am surprised it consumes so much vitality, labor, time, and money for making a frame of Shenjiang. Without these factors, a Shenjiang statue cannot be made. Making a complete Shenjiang for patrol tours must require even more skills and vitality!
Shun-wei Huang: Wow! It is so difficult to make a frame of a Shenjiang statue with so much detail. It requires great skills to make the frame of a Shenjiang statue; otherwise, it’s not fair to the person who wears it. I learned that the bamboo has to be dried before the frames are made. I used to think the just-cut bamboo was ready to use for the frame, but I was wrong. The bamboo needs to be dried, its edge throne needs to be sanded down, and its bends need to be grilled. It looked very tough when the masters were working on the frame.
Kuan-ting Ho: The process of making the frame of a Shenjiang statue is very tough. I really want to thank the masters. Without them, Luzhou would not earn the fame of “Shenjiang Cave”. When seeing the masters’ craftsmanship, I felt we should not let it gradually decline. I remember that Mr. Wang said that the craftsmanship means a craft produced with hands. On the other hand, only the products created with hands can be called art, since they involve the producers’ hearts and feelings, and express the producers’ affection and emotion. We shouldn’t let the unique technology be lost in time! (I am moved…)