Elderly palanquin builder strives to keep craft alive

“Treating the wood with care and sticking to traditional techniques is a life-long passion of mine,” he said.

The results of Wang's meticulousness and his adherence to his principles are elaborate and exquisitely crafted works of art that are also sturdy and durable.

“The palanquins must be able to bear the weight of the statues that they are meant to carry, must be resistant to all sorts of weather, and at the same time must be light enough and precisely balanced so that they could be carried easily,” Wang said.

Amid the competition that he is now facing from China, Wang said, the key to holding on to his niche is to maintain quality.

“Although China-made wooden sculptures are rampant on the local market, we are not afraid of the competition,” he said. “We can stand out as long as our products are of top quality.”

However, what concerns Wang is the possibility of traditional skills like his dying. As master craftsmen like him grow older, the art of carving sedan chairs by hand will also disappear, he fears.

Some other famed master craftsmen in Tainan City who make sedan chairs were taught by Wang.

“I am fully prepared to pass on my skills to anyone who is willing to learn,” he said.

His family believes that the tradition of making palanquins, which was born among the people, must be preserved and can take root again.

“That belief is what keeps grandpa going,” said his grandson.

However, in addition, Wang finds satisfaction in doing something that has brought him public recognition as well as personal joy.

He has been selected as one of the 13 winners of this year's Global Chinese Culture and Arts Award -- Taiwan's highest honor for outstanding achievements across the arts spectrum.

The award will be presented to him by the Ministry of Education Saturday in Taipei County for his passion in preserving the palanquin art and his efforts to pass on his skills to the younger generation.

“It makes me really happy that I can keep working with a chisel and stay connected to my craft,” he said.

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