No. 3 Article in the “League of Extraordinary Tainan People” Series - Kuo Chun-Fu Specializes in Gold, Silver and Bronze Sacred Hats, and is the Hatter to Ten Thousand Deities
Posted Date:2025-03-21
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Introduce
Tainan has a rich cultural heritage and many talented people. To provide a more in-depth look at the diverse facets of Tainan, Tourism Bureau developed the “League Extraordinary Tainan People” series of articles in partnership with authors Chang Yun-su and Cheng Pei-wen to communicate the spirit and mindset of Tainan’s people through the life stories of master craftsmen. The articles offer the public a glimpse into the beauty of Tainan’s living culture, and provide a different kind of original itinerary in the form of corners and niches these people feel are worth exploring.
Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che said that there large and small temples around every corner in the city. The temples are not only the places of worship for city residents but also on the bucket list of many tourists. While many people go to worship at the temples, how many have paid any attention to the headgear of the gods? Each intricately sculpted sacred hat represents the deity’s rank and status. They are also examples of Tainan’s exceptional craftsmanship. Sacred hat maker Kuo Chun-fu has been crafting sacred hats for decades. He not only preserved a precious traditional culture but was also registered by the Tainan City Government as the custodian of silver sacred hat making techniques due to his great skill.
According to Director-General Lin Kuo-hua of the Tourism Bureau, Kuo Chun-fu was born in Yancheng and began learning about gold-smithing from his uncle after finishing elementary school. Once he had mastered all the necessary skills, he started his own business in 1967 and began making jewelry and golden plaques for jewelers. He also made silver hats on commission. Later on, he had the good fortune to study the shaping and making of blanks for sacred hats under Chen Jin-Yong, a master of Buddhist statue decorations at “Jin Fan Ge.” He started specializing in sacred hats and established the Golden Crown Hat Workshop in 1978. He became one of the few craftsmen capable of making gold, silver, bronze, and paper sacred hats.
Kuo Yong-fu said that sacred hats are just decorations. It is the sacred statute that is the main character. A clear distinction must be made. A well-made sacred hat should complement its wearer. It should not only be well-proportioned but also look good. There must be no gaps and close attention must be paid to the decorations and patterns. Kuo’s sacred hats have elegant, streamline curves take balance and mechanics into account; the front side is ornately decorated with lifelike dragon, phoenix, flower and birds. All are cleverly arranged in a unique manner. Even the hat body itself is covered with organized patterns that are both elegant and traditional at the same time.
More than 10,000 sacred hats have been fitted by Kuo personally. He also came into contact with many unusual statues and worked on many difficult sacred hat projects. He took his time with each of them and incorporated his own creativity. The instantly recognizable statues with their own artistic appeal are popular with temples and personal altars. His works can be found in the Tainan Datianhou Temple, Lu-er-men Tianhou Temple, Xiluo Palace, Shan Shan Guo Wang Temple and other temples.
Kuo is continuing to refine his skills after more than six decades of goldsmithing. He is an expert in all related techniques including nailing of old beads, stacking of threads, and basket making. Nevertheless, to him what truly mattered as “integrity of the craft.” He often says that poor skills can be honed, but if people lacking in ethics can never become a “Master.” Promises are important to Kuo. He maintains an attitude of “a gentleman may love money but will only obtain it through fair means.” His attitude to life is just as robust and detailed as the sacred hats he makes. Kuo’s skill extends beyond the sacred hat as well. He has studied cooking so he often cooks while sharing his thoughts on Tainan’s great food. He is familiar with everything from large banquets to small snacks. He also hoped that citizens will have the chance to visit the temples in Tainan, admire the traditional craftsmanship, and enjoy great food.
According to the Tourism Bureau, the “League of Extraordinary Tainan People” series of articles will be syndicated since March onwards. The reports will feature the life stories of Tainan master craftsmen and also invite the public to experience the unique style of Tainan. Tainan is continuing to host exciting events including the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show (exhibition open until 3/23), the 2025 Baihei Kapok Festival (3/14 ~ 3/30), the Syuejia Hollyhock Flower Cultural Festival (3/15 ~ 4/27), and the Glow Worm, Flowers and Hot Springs Festival (3/29 ~４/20). For Hutoupi Children's Fair (4/3 ~ 4/6) and the 4-day long weekend for Children’s Day and Tomb Sweeping Festival, there is also a special promotion on “DIY Barrel Chicken” and free abseiling experiences. For more information on the latest tourist attractions and events in Tainan, please continue to follow the “Travel Tainan” website and the “Travel Tainan Facebook Fan Page.”
Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che said that there large and small temples around every corner in the city. The temples are not only the places of worship for city residents but also on the bucket list of many tourists. While many people go to worship at the temples, how many have paid any attention to the headgear of the gods? Each intricately sculpted sacred hat represents the deity’s rank and status. They are also examples of Tainan’s exceptional craftsmanship. Sacred hat maker Kuo Chun-fu has been crafting sacred hats for decades. He not only preserved a precious traditional culture but was also registered by the Tainan City Government as the custodian of silver sacred hat making techniques due to his great skill.
According to Director-General Lin Kuo-hua of the Tourism Bureau, Kuo Chun-fu was born in Yancheng and began learning about gold-smithing from his uncle after finishing elementary school. Once he had mastered all the necessary skills, he started his own business in 1967 and began making jewelry and golden plaques for jewelers. He also made silver hats on commission. Later on, he had the good fortune to study the shaping and making of blanks for sacred hats under Chen Jin-Yong, a master of Buddhist statue decorations at “Jin Fan Ge.” He started specializing in sacred hats and established the Golden Crown Hat Workshop in 1978. He became one of the few craftsmen capable of making gold, silver, bronze, and paper sacred hats.
Kuo Yong-fu said that sacred hats are just decorations. It is the sacred statute that is the main character. A clear distinction must be made. A well-made sacred hat should complement its wearer. It should not only be well-proportioned but also look good. There must be no gaps and close attention must be paid to the decorations and patterns. Kuo’s sacred hats have elegant, streamline curves take balance and mechanics into account; the front side is ornately decorated with lifelike dragon, phoenix, flower and birds. All are cleverly arranged in a unique manner. Even the hat body itself is covered with organized patterns that are both elegant and traditional at the same time.
More than 10,000 sacred hats have been fitted by Kuo personally. He also came into contact with many unusual statues and worked on many difficult sacred hat projects. He took his time with each of them and incorporated his own creativity. The instantly recognizable statues with their own artistic appeal are popular with temples and personal altars. His works can be found in the Tainan Datianhou Temple, Lu-er-men Tianhou Temple, Xiluo Palace, Shan Shan Guo Wang Temple and other temples.
Kuo is continuing to refine his skills after more than six decades of goldsmithing. He is an expert in all related techniques including nailing of old beads, stacking of threads, and basket making. Nevertheless, to him what truly mattered as “integrity of the craft.” He often says that poor skills can be honed, but if people lacking in ethics can never become a “Master.” Promises are important to Kuo. He maintains an attitude of “a gentleman may love money but will only obtain it through fair means.” His attitude to life is just as robust and detailed as the sacred hats he makes. Kuo’s skill extends beyond the sacred hat as well. He has studied cooking so he often cooks while sharing his thoughts on Tainan’s great food. He is familiar with everything from large banquets to small snacks. He also hoped that citizens will have the chance to visit the temples in Tainan, admire the traditional craftsmanship, and enjoy great food.
According to the Tourism Bureau, the “League of Extraordinary Tainan People” series of articles will be syndicated since March onwards. The reports will feature the life stories of Tainan master craftsmen and also invite the public to experience the unique style of Tainan. Tainan is continuing to host exciting events including the 2025 Taiwan International Orchid Show (exhibition open until 3/23), the 2025 Baihei Kapok Festival (3/14 ~ 3/30), the Syuejia Hollyhock Flower Cultural Festival (3/15 ~ 4/27), and the Glow Worm, Flowers and Hot Springs Festival (3/29 ~４/20). For Hutoupi Children's Fair (4/3 ~ 4/6) and the 4-day long weekend for Children’s Day and Tomb Sweeping Festival, there is also a special promotion on “DIY Barrel Chicken” and free abseiling experiences. For more information on the latest tourist attractions and events in Tainan, please continue to follow the “Travel Tainan” website and the “Travel Tainan Facebook Fan Page.”
