We choose to interview a lantern maker because nowadays, many children playing the
plastic lanterns, we can not see many children playing paper lantern. And the pattern
is very difficult to find nowadays.
Why do you choose this job? As a lantern maker?
I choose this job because of the background of my family. When I was young, my
family was very poor, so, I have no alternative. When I was 13 years old, I was a
lantern maker, until now, I have worked as a lantern maker for 65 years, and I am 78
years old now.
Do you think the plastic lanterns have an effect in the paper lanterns?
No effect because they are made of two material which makes no effect on the
business. Also, he thinks that, the qualities of his lanterns are best, and he thinks that
the plastic lanterns cannot compare with the paper lanterns. It is because, both of them
have their advantages.
Is the material difficult to find?
Yes, it can only be bought in Tai Kwok Tsui.
Do you want somebody to inherit your business? Also, have you got any apprentices?
No, I haven’t got any apprentices. Nowadays in Hong Kong, most of the teenagers
don’t interested in making paper lanterns, they think that the craft is backward. But I
don’t agree with them! I think that, making a paper lantern is an artwork. I enjoy in
making the paper lanterns.
Now, I go to China and teach some of the people how to do it. I make the samples for
them because there are less skilled people making lantern. And I don’t want the papar
lanterns will disappear in the world in the future.
The merchandise method
I teach my apprentices and they make the lanterns and sell them.
Does this profession have a seasonal? What is the business during the seasonal owns?
Besides the mid autumn festival, the business if the paper lanterns is really in
depression. But I’ll change profession to make the funerary objects to preserve my
income.
Do you want to change one’s trade?
No. It is because I think it’s so difficult for me. I am old now. I don’t have so many
capital so enlarge. And I have been stayed in this stationary store for about 65 years. I
belong to it. Also, I am enjoying by making the artwork. I am interested in it forever.
In these 65 years was there any things that make you feel proud?
Um… I think it was the invitation of the TV station of Redifussion (麗的). Since 1960,
I have been invited 5 times! In the past, it’s the TV station if Rediffusion, but now, it’s
the TV station of ASIA. I think that, the people acknowledge my technology so they
invited me for an interview. I am glad with these. It just likes a force a push me to
hard-working continuously.
What is your motto?
「活到老,學到老。」Never too old to learn!
Barbara and Cherry
One of our group member’s relatives is a baker, ad we think this job is very
interesting. So, we interview him. But he lives so far away from us, so we do the
interview on phone.
Hong long did you work as a baker?
I already worked as a baker for 15- 16 years. And I had learning bread for more than
15 years.
What kind of bread you make?
I had worked in a bakery shop for more than ten years, I make some special and
traditional bread.
Why did you choose this job?
I choose it because I can learn handicraft skill, also I can make bread for myself. And
I think making bread is really interesting, when you saw the finish product of yourself,
you will feel very satisfy.
Is the business deal?
My company can maintain until now and the business is better than before. I have
seen many of the craft had been closed by economic problem. I am so happy I am still
a baker.
What gains from baking you get?
Make the bread freshly, to make the customers come again and again, also bring new
ideas of it so then the guest will not feel bored. New idea is very important, because if
there are no new favour, everyday is the same, it will make the people really very
boring. So, my colleges and I always think how to design some new breads.
Have you get some difficulties during work?
I don’t have any difficulty because I have experience and I also enjoy my job. Baking
bread is also a creative job. The bread has to attract people to eat, right?
During this interview, the baker also told us about the bread, and the terms of the
bread. We realize that making a bread, having a good taste and look is quite difficult.