08/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 8, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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Demand for traditional Japanese porcelain to

expand in M’sia ARITA (JAPAN): The demand for traditional Japanese porcelain with aesthetic designs will continue to expand in Malaysia and other overseas markets, said Shobido Honten, a porcelain trading company based in the town of Arita in the Saga prefecture. Company director Asa Kamochi said the demand for exquisite products featuring traditional Japanese designs remains strong. “Arita porcelain, regarded as Japan’s first porcelain and boasting a history of over 400 years since the Edo period, is popular among Malaysians. We are now exporting cat and bear porcelain figurines to Malaysia,” she told Bernama during a visit to Shobido-Honten’s porcelain shop in Arita, organised by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) Saga Prefecture and Jetro Kuala Lumpur. Shobido-Honten’s products are available in its two physical stores in Arita and online. In the overseas markets, Kamochi Shobido-Honten is also exporting to China and Taiwan. It also exports to Europe and the United States. Kamochi said the Koimari style porcelain designs, painted in underglaze blue and adorned with gold and red-coloured painted motifs, are the favourite among inbound tourists from overseas. She pointed out that while there is demand for designs that align with contemporary global standards – and some Arita ware brands have successfully adopted such styles both in Japan and abroad – traditional designs, such as those in the Koimari style, also continue to attract interest from inbound tourists. Kamochi said Arita porcelain designs have their origins in Korea and China in the early Edo period of the 17th century, which were developed into Arita-based patterns by local artisans.

Goh and her manager Low Zhi Kai performing Si Tanggang at the opera house. – BERNAMAPIC

Keeping Teochew puppetry alive

opera house has become a hub of learning, performance and cultural preservation. To make the art more relatable, Goh has adapted local stories, including Malay and Indian folktales. “In Malaysia, we are a multiracial society. I don’t want this art to be just for the Chinese community. That’s why I’ve adapted stories like Si Tanggang into puppet theatre.” She also hopes the Education Ministry will one day introduce this heritage art into schools, giving young Malaysians the chance to learn and carry forward the tradition. Teochew puppet theatre traces its origins to the Chaoshan region in China and was brought to Malaysia by Teochew immigrants, including Goh’s grandparents, in the early 19th century. Today, visitors to the opera house can do more than just watch performances. They can slip into traditional costumes and even try their hand at manipulating the puppets in an interactive space designed to bring the art closer to the public. the festival aims to attract more than 35,000 visitors. This is the second time the festival is being held. Last year, it focused on the keris and Kelantan’s weapon heritage. Mohamed Safaruddin called on the public to attend and support the festival, noting that it not only offers a unique opportunity to view heritage items up close, but also allows visitors to enter Istana Balai Besar, which is normally restricted except during special events. – Bernama

intricately carved wooden puppets, reported Bernama. The puppets are not only beautiful to look at but each one has its own uniqueness. Traditionally made from a blend of wood, clay, paper and sometimes metal, the puppets were once carved by her grandfather and father. “Now that they are gone and my father has grown old, I make them with my students. We’re also experimenting with new materials to ensure the tradition continues.” Today, Goh is grooming the fifth generation, including her nephew and students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that this art form transcends communities and endures for future Malaysians. Determined not to let the art remain confined within the Teochew community, Goh established the Teochew Puppet and Opera House in 2014. Her vision is to introduce the beauty of Teochew puppet opera to Malaysians of all backgrounds and to audiences worldwide. Although modern life has edged the tradition to the sidelines, the “There is also a collection of traditional textiles on exhibit, such as tenun , songket , kain pelangi , kain pelepuk and many others. “In addition, we are showcasing keris from the Kelantan heritage, as well as items from across the archipelago. “Copper products are also on display, with live demonstrations ranging from quail trap making and jewellery carving to the crafting of kain kelingkan , kain pelepuk and songket weaving,” he said, adding that

o Fourth-generation artiste breathes new life into centuries-old performance, blending tradition with local tales

GEORGE TOWN: Tucked away along the lively Armenian Street, one of the most iconic stretches within George Town’s Unesco World Heritage Site, lies a hidden cultural gem that continues to breathe life into an age-old tradition. The Teochew Puppet and Opera House is more than just a performance space. It stands as a symbol of resilience, an effort to safeguard and revive the fading heritage of the Teochew Chinese community. Founded to preserve the centuries-old art of Teochew puppet theatre and classical opera, the museum and opera house serve as both a cultural archive and a living stage. Each performance carries echoes of history, legend, philosophy and the identity of the Teochew people who have long

made Malaysia their home. For Goh Wee Ling, 44, this mission is deeply personal. A fourth-generation practitioner, she began helping her parents with puppet shows at the age of seven and eventually devoted herself fully to the craft after leaving school in her teens. “At first, I just wanted to help my parents,” she recalled. “But over time, I realised this art is incredibly beautiful and meaningful. The stories carry strong values – love, respect for elders and the spirit of family.” Teochew puppet performances typically unfold across four genres: legends, love stories, history and tales of everyday community life. Heroic men, elegant women, cunning villains and witty comedians come to life through publicly displayed. “Apart from the Bunga Emas , the festival also features the Kelantan royal boat – Petala Indera Sri Kelantan – which was built in 1899 and once used by Sultan Muhammad IV. The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 10 pm.” Mohamed Safaruddin, who is also the festival coordinator, added that the event includes a variety of activities, exhibitions and demonstrations, including traditional performances.

“Arita porcelain with its high level of craftsmanship and lavish designs was a gift to the shogun (high-ranking samurai) and also to members of the Japanese royalty.” Kamochi said Shobido-Honten collaborated with local porcelain producers in Arita, including highly skilled artisans, for the supply of porcelain products. Kelantan ‘Golden Flower’ heritage on display

KOTA BHARU: The Bunga Emas Kelantan , or Golden Flower (of Kelantan), a symbol of the state’s rich historical tradition, is on public display for the first time. The two-week Kelantan Textile and Malay Heritage Festival at Istana Balai Besar is being held until Sept 14. Protocol officer for the Sultan of Kelantan Office Mohamed Safaruddin Ismail said the high-value artefact is expected to draw significant attention, as it has never before been

revealed to the public. He added that the festival, which offers free admission, aims not only to showcase the uniqueness of the state’s heritage, but also to revive historical values and cultural pride that are increasingly overlooked, especially among younger generations. “Visitors to this festival are fortunate to witness the original Bunga Emas Kelantan , a heritage treasure of the Kelantan sultanate. This is the first time it has been