Lan Mu

Lan Mu was from Dabu, Chaozhou of Guangdong Province. He was a famous craftsman of traditional architecture in Taiwan and Penghu during 1916 to 1943. According to the area of his hometown, he might be a Hakka.

Biography

Lan Mu's parents died in his early years and he went to be a craftsman's apprentice to raise himself and his younger brother Lan He. Based on his hard work and talent, he became a wood carving master in Chaozhou.
In 1916, Lan Mu left his hometown and moved to Penghu with his brother. In 1923,, Lan Mu was assigned to be the chief architect of the Penghu Mazu Temple restoration. At the time, he was 40 years old. Three years later, Lan Mu and other craftsmen successfully finished the repair.
Penghu Mazu Temple was the most important work in Lan Mu's career. In addition to Mazu Temple, Lan Mu took part in other repair works, such as Beiji Temple and Beichen Temple, both located at Magong City. Beiji Temple was destroyed by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and Beichen Temple was dismantled and rebuilt in 1981.
Lan Mu also had a printing factory in Penghu. His descendants took it over until the present.