Compared with gold, bronze, jade or stone, woodcarving has played a relatively modest and mundane role in Chinese art history. It was never used to record or glorify the achievements of a royal household, or to raise the status of nobility or high-ranking officials, but woodcarving has in many ways stood the test of time. For thousands of years it has been part of daily life, whether incorporated into architecture or used to make a host of exquisitely sculpted utensils and household decorative items.

Today, woodcarving is as popular as ever, with large screens, spread eagles, miniature horses and aged fishermen being among typical themes.

While woodcarving is a prosperous industry in many parts of Taiwan, the main center is undoubtedly Sanyi village in Miaoli County, known as the "village of woodcarving" among local people. Surrounded by mountains, Sanyi is nevertheless well-served by road and railway connections. Even though it is equipped with modern facilities such as water, electricity, gas and telephone, Sanyi still retains much of its former simplicity and charm. Of the 17,000 population, 70 percent are Hakka. Although most of the older people only speak Hakka, young people are also fluent in Mandarin Chinese, the national language of the Republic of China. The Hakkas are a thrifty and industrious people whose consistent efforts have won domestic and foreign markets for their woodcarving.

The history of the woodcarving industry in Sanyi can be traced back to 1901 when Okazaki came to Taiwan with a group of Japanese soldiers. One day, as he was strolling through Sanyi village, he learned that the fragrant camphor tree abounding in the area was pest-resistant. This gave him the inspiration to fashion the wood into all kinds of utensils such as screens, trays and figures. Later, the "Okazaki Trading Society" was established to sell exquisite wood artifacts to wealthy people in the area. When the Sino-Japanese War ended in 1945, Okazaki returned with his soldiers back to Japan, and the trading society was taken over by Liu I-chun, a local resident. Though he encountered repeated setbacks in the initial stage, Liu has never been discouraged in his pursuit. Finally, the new "Paichi Hung (Shop)" was established, which in turn, laid the foundation for further development in the woodcarving industry in Sanyi. Nowadays, numerous wood sculpture shops line Chungcheng Road, the main thoroughfare in Sanyi village, and more than 50 percent of the local inhabitants are engaged in the business.

Camphor wood comprises the bulk of the raw material for the woodcarving industry, although cypress, sandalwood and juniper are used to carve some miniature and delicate figurines. Camphor trees, with 1,000-year history in Taiwan, are particularly suitable for the woodcarving industry, not only because of their resistance to pests, but also because of their thick trunks and the attractive appearance of their gnarled roots and branches. After continuous exploitation over the past years, the trees around Sanyi are now almost completely exhausted. The raw materials, there fore, have to be brought in from the virgin forests in Taitung, Tahsuehshan, Alishan, Fengyuan and Chushan. Woodcarvers order truckloads of wood from Tuchang, the trading center set up by the Forestry Bureau of the Republic of China.

The camphor tree, from its branches down to its roots, can be used in its entirety by the woodcarving industry. The cylindrical shape of the trunks means they can be cut into identical segments for fashioning into the sets of products. Curved parts can be carved into screens, while twisted or gnarled branches can be shaped into the forms of animals or human figures.

After being transported, the wood must first be dried and sprayed with varnish to preserve it. Woodcarving is a profound art. It takes at least two years for disciples to master the use of dozens of different carving implements. The masters must also have high artistic taste and imagination, so that with only a hammer and a chisel, they can shape the lifeless wood into animated and lifelike figures or animals. Usually, it takes about two to three months to fashion a large size artifact, and two to three days to complete a miniature figurine.

After preliminary carving work is completed, sand paper and paint is applied twice to three times to finish and polish the products. Sizes range from 9 feet by 7 feet to the dimensions of a thumb, while prices range from NT$100 or 200 to NT$200,000 or 300,000 a piece. Most of the sculptures are for export, and the most thriving period for the trade was from 1971 to 1973 when the village's monthly income amounted to NT$30 million (US$750,000). The energy crisis has slightly reduced the export volume, but prospects are still promising. The Paichi Hung, largest store in this village, for example, enjoys an annual export value of US$2.5 million. In May 1976, Premier, now President Chiang Ching-kuo visited Sanyi to encourage the sculptors in their promotion of the local woodcarving art, and praise them for earning foreign exchange for the country.

The U.S., Canada, Japan and European countries are the main markets for Taiwan's wood sculptures. Decorative artifacts account for the bulk of sales in Taiwan, while Japanese style figurines, and masks, goddesses, Buddha figures and large animals are most popular in Japan. European and American buyers prefer wood sculptures with a Chinese flavor, such as ancient Chinese emperors, empresses, farmers, fishermen and representations of the greatest Chinese sage, Confucius. Folding wooden fans are also popular items.

[Picture Caption]

Above, woodcarvers order truckloads of wood from Tuchang, the trading center set up by the Forestry Bureau; right, a young master carving a lifelike sculpture of an eagle pitted against a tiger.

A panoramic view of Sanyi village.

Inside wood sculpture shops, the grand masters concentrate on their work.

From left: The sculptures of Sakyamuni, emperor and empress Chien Lung, ear-to-ear grinning Maitreya, an aged fisherman, an array of Maitreya, ink trough used by carpenters to draw a straight line, and a sitting Sakyamuni.

right, a young master carving a lifelike sculpture of an eagle pitted against a tiger.

A panoramic view of Sanyi village.

Inside wood sculpture shops, the grand masters concentrate on their work.

Inside wood sculpture shops, the grand masters concentrate on their work.

Inside wood sculpture shops, the grand masters concentrate on their work.

Inside wood sculpture shops, the grand masters concentrate on their work.

The sculptures of Sakyamuni,.

emperor and empress Chien Lung,.

ear-to-ear grinning Maitreya,.

an aged fisherman,.

an array of Maitreya,.

ink trough used by carpenters to draw a straight line,.

The sculptures of Sakyamuni,.