| Yau Yuen Tong Seals and Printing |
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From Tai Ho Road turning into Shiu Wo Street, one suddenly confronts a small stall selling Chinese stationery in the crowded marketplace. The owner is 64 years-old Lo Chung Leung, who inherited his father’s craft of carving seals. He also learned calligraphy from the celebrated Master Chen Jinghong and was under the tutelage of the renowned Lingnan-style painter Master Szeto Kei. Mr. Lo is indeed some sort of modern-day hermit scholar in a fringe corner of the city.
Having used his carving knives for over four decades, his stamps and seals provide the recognition for scholars, the signatures of companies, and the personal identifications of the illiterate populace. Though he might only earn a hundred dollars or even less in making a seal, Mr. Lo demonstrates his professionalism – choosing the stones, shaping them, outlining on paper, actual carving, he does all the tasks with the utmost care. Each seal he makes bear his unique craftsmanship.
In the shop, rows after rows of colourful veined seal-stones are displayed, and hanging vertically, there are lines after lines of ink brushes. Looking very similar, the brushes are however called by different names – leopard-wolf, Ding Feng (cauldron peak), orchid-bamboo, northern tail, flower stalk, etc. When someone comes in to buy an ink-brush, Mr. Lo would first enquire what the customer wishes to draw or write, then he would choose the suitable brush for the customer, explaining the special characteristics of the pen. He would also remind the customer to practise more often. The heritage of our culture demands that we learn it and to pass it on; what Yau Yuen Tong sells is this rich and endearing inheritance of our civilisation.
| Date founded: | 1966 |
| Founder: | Mr. Lo Chung Leung |
| Address: | G/F, 4A Chuen Lung Street, Tsuen Wan |
| Telephone: | 2493 7484 |
