The wild boar plays a very important role in many aboriginal societies in Taiwan. To this particular artist, the wild boar is also very significant. Fuzu Hamowana (also known as Pu’u) lives in Laiji Village in Alishan, which according to legend was discovered during the hunt for wild boar. She raised a wild boar as a pet when she was young, only to find out that one day while she was away that her mother had slaughtered it for food. This event left a very deep impression on her.

The front of this wooden block features an imprinted wild boar in red, with the eye region and body-striping hand-carved. On the back is a hand-painted depiction of the Tsou tribe’s sacred mountains with the crest line hand carved. On the top a Taiwan golden rain tree (Koelreuteria formosana) is shown with its characteristic red blossoms. The Taiwan golden rain tree is native to Taiwan and grows in the Alishan area. A larger version of this local Alishan blossom is also hand-painted on the side.

This is one of a set of four hand painted wild boar-themed blocks. Buy these blocks individually or as a set and display them, to do your part to raise awareness of Taiwan’s indigenous Tsou culture.