WANG DEWEN, known as “Grandpa Amu” on social media, has been dubbed as the modern day Lu Ban, a famous Chinese structural engineer during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.), thanks to his superb carpentry techniques.

Recently, the 65-year-old man used beech wood and black walnut material and cut it into 32 pieces of wood, and then polished it into radians and chiseled different structures. When they fit together perfectly, it became a soccer. Its structure can be freely disassembled and assembled for play. It can’t be kicked around like a real soccer, but it is suitable for display as a craft or a toy or a gift.

Wang follows an ancient Chinese mortise and tenon technique, which means no nails or glue are involved in the entire process. He has also made several wooden toys for his grandson using the same technique. He created a model of the China Pavilion in the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Among all the items, a walking Peppa Pig and a bubble blowing toy are his grandson’s favorites.

Some of Wang’s videos were shot at his workshop and others in the village where he lives with his grandson amid lush green trees and accompanied by the sound of a pleasant brook. Followers’ comments are appreciative, such as: “Astounding craftsmanship. And indeed no nails. What he can do with a couple of pieces of wood and an old saw is amazing.”

Another of his followers on the internet said: “This is so beautiful to watch, but with modern tools and technologies, these traditional crafts may become obsolete. Please keep passing it on.”

Wang, who was born in Liaocheng, Shandong Province, had a hard upbringing. His father died in an accident when Wang was 9, and soon afterward the boy took on the responsibility of being the man of the house and helping his family make ends meet.

To do so, farming was insufficient, he felt. So he set out to learn another skill, becoming an apprentice carpenter with one of his relatives. In the decades to come he would become a master craftsman.

“Being passionate makes it enjoyable,” Wang said. “But you have to keep improving what you do, even if at times that may prove painful. From the very early days, I loved carpentry, but making things requires patience, concentration and thoughtfulness. What you’re looking for in anything you make is beauty and balance.”

Wang said it takes him between three and seven days to make something, with the steps including measuring, drawing lines on the wood, drilling, gouging and polishing.

In 2017, Wang moved from his home in Shandong to Wuzhou in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to live with his son and take care of his grandson. The idea of shooting videos of his works soon sprouted. “We want friends from overseas to have an idea about rural life in China,” said Huang Chunmei, Wang’s daughter-in-law. “We want to show them ancient Chinese skills.”

Very few houses in China are made of wood these days, so this modern carpenter, who has skills that date back hundreds of years, is one of a rare breed. “I’m just an old farmer, and my carpentry skills can’t match those of my forebears,” Wang said. “I just want people to enjoy my videos as I show them some very interesting and sophisticated things.”

Carpentry, farming and playing with his grandson are at the center of Wang’s everyday life. His son said they have considered holding activities so people can get a closer look at the process. (China Daily)