The introduction of plastic and iron buckets has virtually put the ancient coopers--makers of wooden buckets and casks--out of business in Taiwan. One company remains, however--that of Lin Hsiang-lin, who is not only following in his father's footsteps, but is also determined the dying art of cooperage will be passed to his son, and through him to posterity.

Chunghsan North Road is one of Taiwan's busiest and most fashionable thoroughfares, lined on either side by high-rises with bottom-floor boutiques and souvenir shops. The road was completely different when the Lin Tien business was established 50 years ago. But today the shop still stands under the Fuhsing Bridge at the beginning of Chunghsan North Road, as a reminder of a more traditional past.

Passers-by cannot help but stop and stare at the old shop, with its multitude of buckets, small and large, including rice pails, water buckets, bathtubs and steamers, looking somewhat incongruous in their modern setting. The tools hanging on the wall, the rickety bamboo stairs, the clock ticking on the wall are all the same as they were 50 years ago. Lin Hsiang-lin has spent his life here buried beneath the piles of wood and the half-finished buckets.

At one time, when Taipei was an agricultural center, buckets were used for everything--from cooking rice to bathing and washing clothes. The Lin Tien Cooperage was one of many existing in 1928 when Lin was born. It was established two years before by his father, Lin Hsin-chu. Lin always wanted to work in his father's shop and at the age of 13 he was sent to Keelung to learn the cooper's trade. Three years later he returned and began to work at the Lin Tien Cooperage. In that year, Taiwan was returned to the Republic of China, and business boomed. The period until 1961 was a golden era for wooden bucket making, and at its height, Lin Tien employed five full-time coopers.

In 1961 plastic buckets were introduced to Taiwan, and soon afterwards, everyone was using rice cookers and washing machines. One after another, the coopers were forced to close up shop. Lin had to let all his workmen go and struggle on as best he could on his own. Soon, the Lin Tien Cooperage became one of the few remaining in Taipei. When Lin's son, Lin Huang-yi decided to work at the cooperage, he was delighted. But since all the old coopers had gone, he had to teach his son himself. Every morning at 9 a.m., the two leave home together, open the shop and begin another day's work.

Although the cooperage business has declined, the fact that Lin Tien is one of the few companies left in the line ensures a steady stream of customers. People from southern Taiwan, curious young people, foreigners, and in fact anyone who cannot fully accept the modern plastic buckets, are all interested in buying Lin's products.

Today, the best-selling items are pails for cooking rice since they are said to give a better flavor. They are greatly favored by those who sell cooked and glutinous rice commercially. Apart from the two main sizes, large and small, Lin Tien makes rice pails for collectors or those who want them for ornaments. Despite the decline in the use of wooden buckets from a utilitarian standpoint, demand for them is growing as art objects.

Many people ask Lin why he gets up so early every day to toil with the saw and chisel, when he could easily let out his premises for between US$30,000 and US$40,000 a month. Some contractors have offered to build a 12-story building on the land, and give him the first six stories. Even though this would bring Lin several hundred thousand dollars in rent a month, he turns down all offers.

"Today, most cooperages have closed down. If I don't continue the craft, it will disappear. Many people think that one day, my wooden buckets will become a national treasure. If I don't preserve the art for posterity, it will be a great pity," he says. "Although the work is laborious, I am used to it, and it doesn't seem too hard. I am happy--and realistic. If I didn't have my work, I would be bored."

Lin is obviously a member of a dying breed who likes to continue in the old way and shun the materialism of modern society. He can lose himself in his work and at the same time feel happy to know that he is preserving traditions. A word of encouragement or an admiring look can make his day. Doing what others cannot do; preserving what others cannot preserve. These twin ideals seem to keep Lin Hsiang-lin in the cooperage business.

[Picture Caption]

Left: The store front of the Lin Tien Coopery looks the same as it did 50 years ago. Center: Lin Hsiang-lin has been making buckets and barrels in the same way for more than 30 years. Right: The shop also sells bamboo steamers made by another craftsman.

1) Lin Hsiang-lin is pleased that his son wants to carry on the old profession. 2) Some of the tools that have been hanging on the shop's walls for 50 years. 3)-6) Some of the products made at the Lin Tien Coopery: wine barrel and a water ladle; bathing tubs; small rice steamers; water bucket and wash basin. 7) Large wooden buckets are best for cooking rice because they retain heat move effectively.

Lin Hsiang-lin has been making buckets and barrels in the same way for more than 30 years.

The shop also sells bamboo steamers made by another craftsman.

Lin Hsiang-lin is pleased that his son wants to carry on the old profession.

Some of the tools that have been hanging on the shop's walls for 50 years.

Some of the products made at the Lin Tien Coopery: wine barrel and a water ladle; bathing tubs; small rice steamers; water bucket and wash basin.

Some of the products made at the Lin Tien Coopery: wine barrel and a water ladle; bathing tubs; small rice steamers; water bucket and wash basin.

Some of the products made at the Lin Tien Coopery: wine barrel and a water ladle; bathing tubs; small rice steamers; water bucket and wash basin.

Some of the products made at the Lin Tien Coopery: wine barrel and a water ladle; bathing tubs; small rice steamers; water bucket and wash basin.

Large wooden buckets are best for cooking rice because they retain heat move effectively.