In Hong Kong, many shops still carry out an outdoor business such barbers, noodle stall, street food restaurants ("Dai Pai Dong"), fortune teller, papercraft master, sewer shop, refreshment shop and so on...
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Many old traditional shops are being forced to close to make way for new
towers or because they cannot afford expensive rents.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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One of them is Chow Kee shop which deals with paperwork associated with
traditional ceremonies (Hungry Ghost Festival or locally
known as Yu Lan festival). His shop had been on Stauton Street since one century.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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The papercraft and offering store, Chow Kee, stands out due to the lanterns and Chinese decorations in various shapes of red decorating the front.
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The old papercraft master born in year 1920 still
makes the paper effigy of the Hungry Ghost king on Aberdeen Street from scratch.
During the Hungry Ghosts festival, he creates a five-meter tall "Ghost King" and
other figures from paper and bamboo.
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| Paper body of the Hungry Ghost king |
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In year 2008, the old papercraft master was forced out of his century-old shop because of the high rent but finally found a new shop on neighbouring Elgin Street.
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A businessman even had offered the old papercraft master a space in Tsim Sha Tsui
but he preferred to stay in the neighbourhood as most of the customers are long-time residents
of the neighbourhood, who drop by on their way to shop and chatter away.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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Mr Chan's skilful hands have created large paper sacrifices for traditional religious functions and delicate goldfish lanterns.
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The economic boom and the lack of government backing (no cheap rental for
traditional crafts) have placed many traditional festivals in danger of disappearing.
There is a wish to have them recognized as intangible heritage items.
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| Old shop in Wan Chai |
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It is really good luck to take such photo because almost no generation in
Hong Kong pick up such skill nowadays.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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Mr Chan still works one to two hours a day. He is leaving in a shop house.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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Chow Kee paper shop is located in Central district on Hong Kong island.
Mr Chan, old papercraft master, is still working there. In June and July he is always
working on the paper effigy of the Hell King that will be displayed on
Aberdeen Street during Hungry Ghost festival.
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| Chow Kee shop |
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More pictures of Mr Chan to be added SOON in August 2011.
Click to see more pictures |
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