From rosewood altars to designer furniture
Woodworking, Daxi’s most famous industry, can be traced back well over a century to the Qing Dynasty. In its heyday in the 1970s and 80s, there were two to three hundred businesses selling wood products in the town. But later, like many traditional craft industries, it could not compete with low-cost producers in mainland China and Southeast Asia. The increasingly widespread use of steel and plastic, and the advent of major furniture brands like Ikea, only hastened its decline. Today there are only a third as many wood products outlets in Daxi as when the industry was at its peak.
These are mainly small and medium-sized family enterprises that have passed down through the generations. Daxi has not given rise to any famous furniture brand names to rival those in the US, Europe, and Japan, yet its highly skilled craftspeople are still a precious asset of which local people are proud. Li Wangyu, founder of the Zhouyu Woodworking Company, asserts: “In terms of skills, we can compete with anyone in the world.”
Accordingly, woodworking businesses still in operation in Daxi, especially those run by second- or third-generation owners, are extremely active in trying to transform their industry. They want to carry forward the consummate skills inherited from the previous generations of craftsmen while at the same time making designer furniture to meet the needs of contemporary Taiwanese.
Li Wangyu, with a firm grasp of the skills and knowledge accumulated since his grandfather’s generation, decided six years ago to set up his own brand and founded Zhouyu Woodworking Company, with a focus on modern furniture. He has abandoned the heavy form and structure of traditional furniture, yet is doing his utmost to retain the traditions of Daxi’s solid-wood furniture and top-notch bespoke craftsmanship.
Whenever he receives an order for a custom-made piece, Li will discuss with the client in detail how they intend to use the furniture, and make adjustments accordingly. The items that his company produces are not varnished or painted; instead he uses a food-grade protective oil, to enable customers to enjoy the experience of directly touching solid wood. He also shares with us various aspects of the meticulous production process, such as how the precision of a joint’s construction can determine the durability of a piece of furniture. Another example is sliding doors, which must be made suitable for Taiwan’s hot, humid climate by leaving a gap between the frame and the door panels, so that the two-layered panels can expand and contract without warping.
Thanks to the platform provided by the Wood Art Ecomuseum, second-generation woodworkers with similar thinking are able to support each other. Young craftsmen (including Li Wangyu) representing five different brands have organized a study group that they call the Wood Creativity Nest. They not only share information but also boldly engage in exchanges with the outside world, in order to stimulate their creativity and seek vitality within tradition.
Carrying the burden of the glory days of the past, each step they take on the path of innovation and transformation is difficult. But for Daxi woodworking, whose fortunes have always been closely bound up with the lives of ordinary people, as long as those involved are willing to apply themselves steadfastly and gradually accumulate experience, they will stand the test of time. Then they will surely reap the fruits of their labors, and live up to the famous name of Daxi.
The birthday celebrations for Guan Yu originally lasted just one day, but because so many people have gotten involved, they have been extended to two days. During this time the little town of Daxi is vibrant with activity, as if it were the Lunar New Year. (photo by Lin Min-hsuan)
The birthday celebrations for Guan Yu originally lasted just one day, but because so many people have gotten involved, they have been extended to two days. During this time the little town of Daxi is vibrant with activity, as if it were the Lunar New Year.
Now a scenic pedestrian bridge, the Daxi Bridge on the Dahan River has seen many changes over its history. (photo by Lin Min-hsuan)
Baroque-influenced architecture gives Daxi’s old quarter a historical aesthetic.
Baroque-influenced architecture gives Daxi’s old quarter a historical aesthetic.
The Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum is a focal point for local residents.
“Street-corner galleries” are not only spaces to experience culture, they also provide opportunities for direct interaction between travelers and residents, making them windows for in-depth tourism.
Daxi has become famous for upscale rosewood furniture, featuring high-end materials and precision joint construction.
Daxi has become famous for upscale rosewood furniture, featuring high-end materials and precision joint construction.
Zhong Peilin, who relocated to Daxi, has high praise for the town’s convenient transportation links and the friendliness and warmth of its people.
Li Wangyu, who was born into a family of woodworkers, not only has vast practical experience but also a passion for modern furniture design.
The home accessories and furniture that Li Wangyu makes blend the sophisticated appearance of modern design with traditional techniques.
The home accessories and furniture that Li Wangyu makes blend the sophisticated appearance of modern design with traditional techniques.