Legend: Sheng-fu Yang

This episode features the fading caponizing skill. Master Sheng-fu Yang was born in Dongshi, Pingzhen, Taoyuan, and later moved to Taoyuan’s Longtan. The caponizing skill has been passed down for four generations. Such unique skill has survived for more than 50 years, but is gradually phased out with the changing times. However, Master Yang never hesitates to teach young Hakka students. He is willing to continue teaching as long as there are people who want to learn this traditional skill and value the ancestors’ culture and wisdom.

In the early days of Taiwan, those in the caponizing industry were mostly Hakka. Perhaps because Hakkas were having a tougher life at the time, people often offered capons which were bigger in size, and had fat, succulent yet non-greasy meat, to their ancestors and deities during the festive seasons, in order to express their utmost respect.

Relying on the unique “drawing and pulling” caponizing skill that has been passed down for four generations, Master Yang was able to feed the entire family at that time, while continuing the technique. However, as time passes, the legacy will soon disappear.

This episode is shot with the village of the past as its background. It vividly presents the masters’ professional skills in the early days, and the actual caponizing process. It is accompanied by relaxing background music, and occasional scenes of cocks in the cage waiting to be gelded, so as to lessen the solemn “surgical” atmosphere. This skill might disappear in the future but the “offerings” specially prepared by the Hakka people in the early days to show their respect for the deities and ancestors will be passed down due to the gelded cocks’ unique flavor!