Carving dreams in wood

Jia Jing, a youthful artisan, transforms his childhood Lego dreams into works of art, showcasing his exceptional talent for using ancient building methods.

The sunmao (mortise and tenon) method of joinery was commonly used in ancient Chinese architecture and furniture. After locking together, the sun (tenon) and mao (mortise) can firmly sustain an entire structure and result in furniture that is sturdier and more visually appealing than that constructed with screws.

But when modern technology allows machines to create intricate sunmao structures with greater precision and efficiency than manual labor, a question arises: why invest time and effort in mastering this ancient skill? Jia Jing, a junior student at Hubei Ecology Polytechnic College, offers his answer.

"It is essential to train young people in this craft," said the 20-year-old. "Not only does it ensure the preservation of carpentry skills, but there exist delicate wooden artifacts from ancient times that machines still cannot replicate."

Recently, Jia's commitment to this craft achieved a significant milestone. Three months ago, he won a gold medal in furniture-making at China's second Vocational Skills Competition held in Tianjin. This triumph qualified him as one of the candidates to compete on behalf of China at the 47th World Skills Competition in Lyon, France, which will be held from Sept 10 to 15 next year.

Jia's journey to this point can be traced back to his childhood. Growing up in a family with a carpenter father who skillfully constructed furniture, Jia would constantly observe his father doing woodwork and sometimes assist him. "Many pieces of furniture at my home were handcrafted by my father," Jia said.

This early exposure ignited Jia's passion and talent for carpentry. But as a child, it was impossible for him to build furniture on his own. So, he conveyed this passion into building with Lego bricks at the age of 8.

"At that time, I would think before going to bed about what I would build tomorrow. Sometimes it would be a car, and sometimes a tank," Jia recalled. "I brainstormed a framework in my mind, and the next day I would start building it."

This hobby significantly benefited Jia's future furniture-making skills. Before making any piece, Jia can quickly sketch a draft in his mind, which proves useful during the production process.

When the moment arrived for Jia to head to college, he opted for interior design at the suggestion of his father, who hoped that Jia would not only excel in mastering practical skills but also gain a deeper understanding of design theory and aesthetics.

Beyond his theoretical studies, Jia discovered that the school housed a furniture-making training center that admitted students from only two specific majors, one of which was interior design. "I signed up right away," he said.

Sawing, planing, and chiseling wood repeatedly every day can be an extremely monotonous job for most young people who have just entered university. "While many students gave up one by one, I persisted to the very end," Jia said.

Jia mentioned that this experience not only honed his skills but also tested his character. For example, achieving the tight interlocking of the sun and mao requires precision, patience, and practice, as it must be neither too loose nor too tight. "The criterion is that only a slight force should be required for optimal interlocking," he said.

Participating in this year's Vocational Skills Competition and winning a gold medal was a great opportunity for Jia to showcase his skills, but it required significant effort to prepare. While other students were enjoying their college life, Jia had already learned to endure loneliness and focus on achieving excellence.

"On weekend mornings, I was already sawing wood at the center before my roommates woke up," he said.

At the competition, the furniture-making event lasted for three consecutive days. Contestants were required to create a complete and flawless piece of work based on provided blueprints within a 16-hour time frame.

The most difficult part for Jia was the veneering process, which involves cutting a thin layer of wood into fine shapes and attaching it to the surface of a piece of furniture with special woodworking adhesive. As the competition took place in Tianjin, the required veneer pattern was unique to the city, resembling the Tientsin Eye Ferris wheel.

"The wheel was shown from an aerial perspective, presenting an oval shape," Jia said. "While a perfect circle can be drawn with the help of a special tool, drawing an oval requires using a ruler and compass on a wooden board."

Currently, Jia has joined the national training team, where he is undergoing rigorous training with four other candidates. However, only one of them will have the opportunity to represent China in the global competition next year.

"I'm confident that I can seize the opportunity, but I need to continue working hard," Jia said.

As the World Skills Competition limits participants to those under 21 years of age, this represents Jia's final opportunity to participate in the global event.

"If I can emerge victorious and represent China on the global stage, I will exert all my efforts to become the winner."