从艸 Handrush｜Product Design

从艸 Handrush

从艸透過新的產品、新的型式為傳統藺草工藝與藺草產業注入新生命，讓台南的藺草文化能夠歷久彌新。

Through new products and new models, Handrush refreshes the traditional artistic techniques of rush as well the industries of rush, and make the culture of rush (rush culture) in Tainan remain invigorating.

關於藺草 About Rush

藺草編織，起源甚早，可追朔至清朝雍正五年（西元1727年），經過這三百年間的改良與進步，造就現在的藺草文化。藺草，除了有本身編織肌理之美，還有吸濕透氣、散熱快，這些廣為人知的功用，使用期限長，折舊率低，在過程中還會產生天然的蠟質，保護表面，增添產品的生命。但由於時代變遷快，工業發展迅速，如此傳統的手工藝，缺少新人與市場，正逐漸的沒落。

The weaving of rush dates back to the fifth year of the reigns of the Yongzheng in the Qing dynasty (AD 1727). The rush culture originates from the developments and the progress through 300 years. Rush, with the beauty of weave patterns, possesses some famous qualities like good moisture absorption and great ventilation. It produces waxing materials to protect the surface and revive products during the usages. Due to the rapid change of time and the expeditious developments of industries, nevertheless, lack of manpower and markets, the rush culture declines.

茄芷阿嬤工作坊 Grandma Chia-Chih Workshop

茄芷阿嬤工作坊位於台南市後壁區的菁寮，工作坊除了創造工作機會、扶持在地民眾就業之外，也致力於保存手工編織與車縫藺草的技術，期望將藺草的文化帶給更多人認識。

Grandma Chia-Chih Workshop is situated at Jingliao, Houbi District in Tainan City. It not only creates the job demand to assist local residents to be employed, but also preserves the techniques of manual weaving and rush-sewing. This workshop aspires to promote an understanding of rush culture.

茂興製蓆廠 Mao Xing Mats Factory

台南市西港區的茂興製蓆廠已有半世紀歷史，是全台僅存的一間草蓆工廠，老闆莊振章咬牙苦撐，希望這一傳統產業不失傳。莊振章感嘆地說，現代人習慣睡床墊，吸溼排汗的草蓆已逐漸被取代，有些年輕人恐怕還沒看過草蓆，銷量年年銳減，目前只有老一輩的長者才有可能購買。

老闆一一跟我們介紹這些從父親手上接手、陪伴這工廠超過三四十年的機器。看見他如數家珍地講著經緯交錯的藺草與塑膠繩如何編織出一張舒服的草蓆，我們終於了解，莊先生從父親手上接下來的不只是一種家業的傳承，更多的是對於這個產業的期望與情感。

从艸希望把這份交織於藺草上的情感傳達到更多人的心裡，讓美好的東西延續下去。

The history of Mao Xing mats factory in Xigang District (Tainan City) can date back to half a century ago. It’s the only one which still work in Taiwan; CHUANG, CHEN-CHANG, the owner of the factory, strives for keeping the vary traditional factory. “The people nowadays is used to sleeping in beds, and therefore mats which are good at moisture absorption gradually get replaced. The sale numbers decline with the time. Some young men would barely see mats in their lifetime; on the contrary, there’s more chance for the elders to buy mats. “, sighs CHUANG, CHEN-CHANG.

The owner introduces the machines which belonged to his father and worked for more thirty or forty years in the mats factory one after another, and he elaborated on the process of making a piece of comfy mats with lots of rush. From him, we can understand why he has more than some responsibilities for the family business, but for the expectations and the affections in the industry of factory-made mats.

Handrush hopes to convey the affection wrapped in rush to more people, and preserve the beauty for our next generation.