The erhu is a bowed two-stringed musical instrument used in traditional Chinese music ensembles. These instruments were long imported from China, but after 20 years of trial and error, a Taiwanese craftsman is finally building these instruments in Taiwan.
Although the erhu has just two strings, this instrument can express a world of emotion in the right hands. Taiwan’s erhu-making master Lee Shi-san is proud of his instruments, but he started out not as a craftsman, but as an instrument importer.
The instrument comes from China, and it is in China that most are made. But the resonator is covered with snake skin, and a change to Taiwan’s animal protection law meant that imports from China were no longer possible. Lee had to learn to build his own.
It took Lee 20 years to find the way of making the most beautiful-sounding erhu. He says he applied the principles of physics in his search for the most suitable materials. He said the hard part is finding good-quality snake skins. He says that even different parts of the skin produce a different tone.
He says his way of producing erhu is unlike the method used in China, and the unique result has gained praise from musicians.
Now his erhu has become so popular that even musicians in Japan, the US, and Canada are ordering from him. He has also taken on some young apprentices, hoping the techniques he has developed will carry on.