Huang Lianming makes exquisite spinning tops, integrating Daxi culture into handicrafts to enhance the value of souvenirs.

The tops made by Huang Lianming cover various sizes. Due to their fine workmanship and texture, they have been upgraded from children's toys to handicrafts. (Photo by reporter Xie Wuxiong)

During the "Daxi Gyro Culture Festival" in Taoyuan City in August this year, Huang Lianming, a municipal consultant and gyroscope expert, gave a special gyroscope souvenir to Deputy Mayor Su Junbin. The work has a square base and is surrounded by patterns of Puji Hall, Wude Hall, Daxi Bridge and old streets. The exquisite workmanship has aroused curiosity from the outside world. It turns out that Huang Lianming often has friends who come to Daxi to visit and have fun. Although Daxi dried tofu is a good souvenir, it is gone after eating it. Now giving tops with the image of Daxi also allows the recipients to better understand the style of Daxi.

Huang Lianming said that the development of Daxi wood art originated during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. Dahan River was the main tributary of the Tamsui River. At that time, shipping could be traced up the Tamsui River to the Dahan River port "Daqukan Port". In addition, Daxi was adjacent to the Fuxing Mountains and had rich forest resources. , attracted many Tangshan masters to settle down here. The Lin Benyuan family moved to Daxi in 1819 and hired professional Tangshan carpenters from Fujian to build their mansions, creating a century-old woodware town. The leftover materials from furniture manufacturing were made into spinning tops as children's toys.

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In 1968, Daxi stone carving master Jian Wuxiong believed that "children play small games while adults play big games" and created the first large spinning top weighing 5 pounds. Since then, spinning tops has become a national sport in Daxi. Almost everyone in American elementary schools can play spinning tops. Nowadays, Daxi holds a spinning top festival every year. This year is one of the "Daxi Jubilee" series of activities to coincide with the birthday of Emperor Guan Sheng.

The spinning tops made by Huang Lianming are quite exquisite. The limited editions are not for sale and are only given to those who are destined. He made the spinning tops just to let more people know Daxi. His works are available in various sizes from small to large, with the largest weighing 20 kilograms. Nowadays, art activities in Daxi, especially the Daxi Gyro Festival, invite him to display his works, which amazes the guests. It turns out that Daxi spinning tops can be so beautiful.

Huang Lianming used to be the representative of Daxi Town residents. In the past, officials at all levels would bring distinguished guests to visit Daxi, and they would always use him as a tour guide. He would buy some dried tofu from Daxi as souvenirs for them. One time, the old official mentioned, "I always give dried tofu, but it is gone after eating. Can I give other things?" It was these words that made him think deeply, and finally thought of Daxi Top.

Huang Lianming said that if the top was just a toy, it would be thrown away after use, and the quality requirements were not high, but if it was to be given as a souvenir, it should not be careless, so he placed the top on a square pedestal. Considering that the top must be able to rotate, he found suitable bearings and added 3 mm thick corrosion-resistant steel, so that the base can withstand rotation. Finally, the automatic control machine tool CNC is used to carve various patterns on the top, trace it with gold, and then spray paint, transforming the top from a toy into a valuable and commemorative handicraft.

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