Tso Tung was born into a family that made ink stones. The business once commanded almost 80 percent of the entire market in Taiwan. When a child, Tung would go with his father to the Zhuoshui River to collect rocks appropriate for turning into ink stones. Influenced by the family business and being naturally gifted, Tung was drawn to the carving of ink stones. His work has evolved over time and includes both ink stone carvings and embossments. He incorporates many different themes, such as plants and animals, and many different styles, including realism and the abstract, in his creations.