Choi Fook Kee – Musical Instrument Factory
HF: Choi Fook Kee, the workshop which makes Chinese musical instruments and run by Master Choi Cheung Shou was at first in the Western District prior to World War 11. It has relocated several times before settling down at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip Mei.
There are two studio units combined as a larger one. Customers are entertained at one end, with antique rosewood chairs. Behind the door is the workshop, where one sees piles of dusty old wood, looking as if junk, but which are in fact treasures. Because ”fine musical instruments are made from old wood”, so whenever old mansions or temples are torn down, they will collect the old wood – be they doors, pillars and beams – and store the ”debris” here.
”Good wood takes several decades or a century to be dried in a natural manner, and be able to turn into a good instrument, so people go everywhere to look for good wood”, said Master Choi.
Image of Choi Cheung-sau at Choi Fook Kee musical instrument factory in Shek Kip Mei, Hong Kong Source: SCMP via Getty Images
The guqin (literally ”ancient stringed instrument”) is a rare thing in Hong Kong, with only 200 persons who can play it. They all know Master Choi because only he can make or mend guqin in Hong Kong.
Image of a Guqin Source: The Metropolitan Museum
Master Choi is the third generation owner of Choi Fook Kee.(1)
Choi Fook Kee Musical Instrument Factory
Nature of Business – Manufacturer
Major Markets – Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, North America, Southeast Asia, Taiwan
Main Categories – Education & Training, Gifts, Toys & Sports Suppliers
Number of Staff(HK) – 1-5
Year of Establishment – 1933
Annual Turnover – US$250,000 – 499,999(2)
Sources:
1.HF: I found the above information in a small pamphlet when I was living in Hong Kong. I think it may have been published by the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre.
2. hktdc.com Sourcing
This article was first posted on 12th April 2025.
Related Indhhk articles:
1.Tsang Fook Piano: A Century of Music in Hong Kong