2025 Wood Materials Joinery in Traditional Chinese Handicraft Materials research achievements release
“木的連接”是感物獨家支持融設計圖書館并參與共同研究的“傳統(tǒng)手工藝材料之木材料研究”五年計劃中，繼“木的切割”、“木的自然染色”、“木與大漆”、“木與雕版”之后，第五年也是最后一年的研究主題。研究主要歸納和解讀中國傳統(tǒng)木材料營造技藝中木頭的不同連接方式，探尋其當代設計意義。
"Wood Joinery" is the fifth and final year's research theme in the five-year "Traditional Craft Material: Wood" plan, exclusively supported by Ugan concept and co-researched with the Rong Design Library, following previous studies on "Wood Cutting," "Wood Dyeing," "Wood and Lacquer," and "Wood and Engraving." This research primarily categorizes and interprets the various joinery techniques in traditional Chinese wood construction, exploring their significance for contemporary design.
The Wisdom of Joinery in Traditional Chinese Woodcraft
“木的連接”是將單體木材料組合成結構的方法，是中國傳統(tǒng)制木中不可或缺的環(huán)節(jié)。連接技藝可以讓木頭克服本身的尺寸限制，滿足多種構造和裝飾的需求；不同類型的木作技藝也會使用不同的連接方式。與主要靠膠水、螺栓或釘子等連接件來固定連接的現(xiàn)代工業(yè)木制品不同的是，中國傳統(tǒng)制木方法中的很多連接都是用木頭本身來完成的，偶爾以釘、繩等作為輔助。這其中包含著獨特的傳統(tǒng)工藝智慧，一直傳承至今天還在使用。
"Wood Joinery" refers to methods of assembling individual wood pieces into structures, an indispensable aspect of traditional Chinese woodworking. These techniques allow wood to overcome its inherent size limitations, meeting diverse structural and decorative needs. Different types of woodworking employ different joinery methods. Unlike modern industrial wood products that primarily rely on adhesives, bolts, or nails for fixation, many connections in traditional Chinese woodcraft are made using the wood itself, occasionally assisted by nails or ropes. This embodies a unique traditional craft wisdom that continues to be used today.
Classification of Wood Joinery Forms
融設計圖書館和感物在全國多地進行了相關的探訪和考察，記錄了多個地區(qū)不同的傳統(tǒng)制木技藝及其所采用的連接方式。經(jīng)過研究，我們將宏觀上的木的連接形式歸納為兩種，包括立體形式和平面形式。立體形式的連接主要是三維層面的搭建，包括構造、疊壘、組合、編木、轉向、咬合、軸轉等；平面形式則是二維層面的拼合或延展，主要包括拼合、接長、合圈等。不同的連接形式一般會搭配榫、綁、穿、釘?shù)染唧w的連接方法。
Through field visits and investigations across numerous regions in China, the Rong Design Library and Ugan concept have documented various traditional woodworking techniques and their respective joinery methods. The research broadly categorizes wood joinery forms into three-dimensional and two-dimensional types. Three-dimensional forms involve spatial construction, including construction、stacking、jointing、weaving、redirection、interlocking and rotation. Two-dimensional forms involve planar splicing or extension, primarily including assembly，end to end joint and joint ring. Different joinery forms are typically paired with specific methods like mortise-and-tenon, binding, piercing, and nailing.
立體連接之 構造、疊壘與組合
Three-dimensional Joinery: Construction , Stacking and Jointing
“構造”“疊壘”“組合”均是由多個小的獨體構件搭建成立體結構的連接方式，在中國傳統(tǒng)木作技藝中從大木作到小木作都有著廣泛的運用。代表性的“構造”連接如侗寨鼓樓。這是一種具有侗族文化特色的木構建筑，起源于中國古代南方地勢低洼、山林環(huán)繞的地區(qū)“構木為巢”的巢居式生活方式。
Construction, Stacking and Jointing are all methods of building three-dimensional structures from multiple small, independent components, widely used in traditional Chinese woodcraft, from major carpentry (large-scale structures) to minor carpentry (smaller objects). A representative example of "Construction" is the Dong Village Drum Tower. This wooden structure, characteristic of Dong culture, originates from the nest-dwelling lifestyle in ancient southern China's low-lying, forested areas.
鼓樓的搭建主要使用當?shù)厥a的杉木——當?shù)厝艘矊⑸紭湟暈榭梢员邮a的神樹，鼓樓本身的造型也參照了杉樹的形態(tài)。
The drum tower is primarily built using locally abundant fir wood—considered a sacred, protective tree by the locals—and its shape resembles a fir tree.
在結構連接的具體方法上，鼓樓通體不用釘，僅用巧妙的榫卯結構搭建而成。“掌墨師”用丈桿作為“施工圖紙”規(guī)劃鼓樓結構，用墨斗在備好的木料上彈線、標出榫卯開口位置，再按標記切榫頭，從而得到用于搭建的木構件。搭建時，一般先取四根杉木立為主柱，水平方向用橫木（穿枋）連接，構成穩(wěn)定的立方形中心結構；外圍則用多根杉木作為檐柱，也以橫木（穿枋）水平相連，構成穩(wěn)定的框架；上再加瓜柱、將軍柱等，形成樓檐結構，外觀可呈四邊形、六邊形或八邊形，并隨著高度逐漸收小。
Structurally, the entire drum tower is built without nails, relying solely on ingenious mortise-and-tenon joints. The lead carpenter uses a marking pole as the "blueprint" to plan the structure, marking the positions for mortises and tenons on prepared timber with an ink marker before cutting. Construction typically begins with erecting four main fir columns, horizontally connected by crossbeams to form a stable cubic core. Peripheral columns are added and similarly connected, creating a stable frame. Additional components like queen posts and king posts are added to form the eave structure, which can be square, hexagonal, or octagonal, tapering with height.
這種營造方式較為靈活，其層數(shù)可以自由變化（一般是單數(shù)），構件也是可以靈活拆卸、組裝的，木料的加工與連接搭建也可以分地進行。搭建好的鼓樓樓檐層疊、緊密堅實，可以屹立上百年不腐朽、不歪斜。
This construction method is flexible: the number of tiers can vary (usually odd-numbered), components can be disassembled and reassembled, and wood processing and assembly can occur separately. The finished drum tower, with its layered eaves, is sturdy and dense, capable of standing for centuries without rot or tilting.
“構造”不僅僅出現(xiàn)在木構建筑中，一些中、小型的木作中也可以發(fā)現(xiàn)這種連接形式，如蘇州鳥籠。其多用毛竹條或紫檀、紅木，一般為立方體結構，“自重四兩、載重五斗”。具體連接時，用細竹條或木條橫豎交錯穿插相連，構成精密緊實的鳥籠骨架，四角則用輕便靈活的細線綁緊。
"Construction" isn't limited to architecture; it's also found in medium and small wooden objects, like Suzhou birdcages. These are often cubic structures made of bamboo strips or precious woods like rosewood and red sandalwood. Thin bamboo or wood strips are interwoven to form the precise cage frame, with corners tightly bound with flexible fine thread.
“疊壘”與“組合”的結構則分別對應古代木構建筑中的“斗拱”，以及傳統(tǒng)的瓜棱柱——即由中心四小柱加外嵌四輔瓣小料通過榫卯結構連接，共同組合成粗壯結實的整柱。
"Stacking" and "Jointing" structures correspond respectively to the "dougong" bracket system in ancient timber frames and the traditional "Melon-Section Column"—composed of a central core of four small columns joined by mortise-and-tenon with four outer segments to form a single, robust column.
瓜棱柱模型
立體連接之 編木
Three-dimensional Joinery: Weaving
編木的連接方式存在于一種古老的木拱廊橋結構中。浙江地區(qū)多此類廊橋，特別是慶元，擁有中國現(xiàn)存單孔跨度最大的明代木拱廊橋（蘭溪橋）。它不用一釘一鉚，僅用圓木配合榫卯結構，巧妙搭接形成拱形結構，結構的固定完全依靠自身的強度和摩擦力，即使不用釘子也十分穩(wěn)定。
The Weaving is found in the structure of ancient wooden arch corridor bridges. These bridges are common in Zhejiang province, particularly in Qingyuan, home to the Ming Dynasty Lanxi Bridge, which has the largest single span among existing wooden arch corridor bridges in China. Built without nails or rivets, it uses logs cleverly fitted with mortise-and-tenon joints to form the arch structure, relying entirely on its own strength and friction for stability.
廊橋的營造一般是使用生長五十年以上的老杉木，且木材暴曬一年后才能用來搭橋。
Corridor bridges are typically built using old fir wood aged over 50 years, sun-dried for a year before use.
整體搭接過程先搭三節(jié)苗（主拱），再貫以五節(jié)苗（副拱），配合增加穩(wěn)定性的將軍柱和剪刀苗，形成受力均勻、造型美觀的編織狀橋底結構，最后再架設橋板。節(jié)點位置均用榫卯結構連接。
The assembly process involves first erecting the three-level main arch, then integrating the five-level secondary arch, supplemented with stabilizing king posts and diagonal braces, creating an evenly stressed, aesthetically pleasing woven bridge bottom structure. Bridge planks are then laid on top. All nodal points use mortise-and-tenon connections.
立體連接之 軸轉、咬合
Three-dimensional Joinery: Rotation and Interlocking
立體連接的木結構，除了穩(wěn)定的固定式結構，也有一些靈活可變的活動式結構，比如可以開合的折扇、變化表情的福建木偶，以及湖南地區(qū)一種可以循環(huán)轉動的水車。
Beyond stable fixed structures, three-dimensional wooden structures also include flexible, movable ones, such as folding fans, expressive Fujian puppets, and a continuously rotating waterwheel from Hunan.
折扇即是將多支木條作為扇骨，尾部重疊、穿軸，形成可以平面開合的活動式“軸轉”結構。
Folding fans use multiple wooden strips as ribs, overlapping at the tail and pierced by an axle, forming a movable "Rotation" structure that opens and closes flat.
使用了類似的“軸轉”結構的還有福建泉州木偶戲所用的提線木偶，其頭部結構是由木雕的眼睛、嘴巴等活動構件和與雕琢為中空的頭部用小木條穿插連接起來的；用手指撥弄或用細線牽引，便可以支配五官活動。
A similar "Rotation" structure is used in the marionette heads for the Quanzhou puppet theater in Fujian. The head comprises movable carved wooden components (eyes, mouth) connected via small wooden strips to the hollowed-out head; manipulating them with fingers or strings activates the facial features.
另一種活動式的結構“咬合”可見于湖南邵陽的龍骨水車。這種水車用耐腐蝕的槐木制成龍骨板、巖腳和木輪，將它們通過活動的榫卯結構連接，便可以構造出循環(huán)傳動的“龍骨”。
Another movable structure, "Interlocking," is seen in a waterwheel from Shaoyang, Hunan. Made from corrosion-resistant locust wood, its dragon bone plates, footings, and wooden wheels are connected by movable mortise-and-tenon joints, creating a cyclic transmission "dragon spine."
立體連接之 轉向
Three-dimensional Joinery: Redirection
“轉向”是指將木板以不同方向拼接、圍合出立體空間的連接方式，小到家具物件如抽屜、木桶，大到船體等都會使用這種工藝，比如廣州番禹上漖村的龍舟。
"Redirection" involves joining wood planks in different directions to enclose a three-dimensional space. This technique is used in objects ranging from furniture like drawers and barrels to large structures like boat hulls, exemplified by the dragon boats from Panyu, Guangzhou.
一百多年來，上漖村一直保留著傳統(tǒng)的龍舟文化和制作技藝，造舟使用的主要材料是馬來西亞進口的坤甸木，這種木頭密度高、彈性好，可以長期泡在水中，甚至保存上百年。
For over a century, Shangjiao Village has preserved traditional dragon boat culture and craftsmanship. The primary material is imported Kapur wood from Malaysia, known for its high density, good elasticity, and ability to withstand long-term immersion in water, even preserving for centuries.
船身側板、肋板及底板的連接便是將木板用“轉向”的方式圍合成艙，連接處通過鐵釘進行輔助固定。
The hull's side plates, rib plates, and bottom plates are connected using the "Redirection" method to form the compartments, with joints reinforced using iron nails.
平面連接之 接長、拼合
Two-dimensional Joinery: End to End Joint and Assembly
平面連接是指將尺寸有限的多個木料從平面的緯度拼接起來，制作成更長長度或更大面積的木制品。龍舟的制作也使用了這種連接，比如“接長”、“拼合”。仍然以廣州上漖村為例，一條龍舟可以做到約四十米長，但木頭是沒有這種長度的，因此整條船身都是使用了獨特技術拼接而成。
Two-dimensional joinery involves joining multiple pieces of limited-size wood along the planar dimension to create longer or larger wooden products. Dragon boat construction also uses these methods, namely "End to End Joint " and "Assembly." Again, using Shangjiao Village as an example, a dragon boat can reach about 40 meters long, a length unattainable with single wood pieces. Thus, the entire hull is pieced together using unique techniques.
龍舟中心有一條縱向牽引的結構“龍纜”，可以讓船體更加堅牢的同時，也做到在比賽時張弛有度。傳統(tǒng)的上漖龍舟“龍纜”也是用多根厚實的坤甸木縱向拼接、延長而成，即為“接長”——兩段木頭的重疊段用將軍柱固定，與隔倉板之間用繩結捆綁，并用木楔收緊。中國傳統(tǒng)木制家具中也常見這種制作手法。
A central longitudinal structural member called the "Dragon Cable" runs through the boat, enhancing rigidity and providing controlled flexibility during races. Traditionally, the Shangjiao dragon boat's "Dragon Cable" is also made by longitudinally splicing and lengthening multiple thick Kapur wood pieces—this is "End to End Joint ." Overlapping sections of two wood pieces are fixed with wooden pegs, tied to bulkheads with rope knots, and tightened with wooden wedges. This technique is also common in traditional Chinese wooden furniture.
一條傳統(tǒng)的龍舟之所以能夠堅實、耐用，最關鍵的還是“掌口”的制作。船的底板、側板均為雙層板結構，其拼接口便是“掌口”。掌口的拼合不用粘合劑，而是利用榫卯結構的連接方法，靠人工在兩片木板上鑿出榫口，仔細打磨、嵌合、拼接，讓兩塊木料緊密結合成一塊——這便是一種“拼合”的連接形式——再用手工打造的鐵釘加固，讓木材即使在水中高速運動也不會散裂。
The crucial factor for a traditional dragon boat's sturdiness and durability lies in the "Zhangkou" joint. The boat's bottom and side plates are double-layered structures, and their joining seams are the "Zhangkou." These joints don't use adhesives but rely on mortise-and-tenon connections. Artisans manually carve matching mortises and tenons on two planks, carefully grind and fit them together, tightly joining two pieces into one—this is a "Assembly " joinery form. They are then reinforced with hand-forged iron nails, preventing the wood from splitting even during high-speed movement in water.
這種平面“拼合”的連接方式也用于一些木制家具的平面工藝，如蘇州“千拼臺”，就是用上千片不規(guī)則形狀的木片，用榫卯結構連接，組合成一張精美的冰錠紋桌面。也有另一種“鏤空式”的拼合，即傳統(tǒng)蘇州“花窗”的拼合手法：將精心設計的木料用榫卯結構拼接起來，形成大面積的鏤空圖案，比普通的拼合更具裝飾性。
This planar "Assembly " technique is also used in furniture making, such as the Suzhou "Thousand-Piece Table," where thousands of irregularly shaped wood chips are joined by mortise-and-tenon to form an exquisite tabletop with an ice-crystal pattern. Another variant is Latticed Assembly , seen in traditional Suzhou lattice windows: meticulously designed wood pieces are joined via mortise-and-tenon to form large-area openwork patterns, offering greater decorativeness than standard assembly.
“千拼臺”
傳統(tǒng)蘇州花窗的結構模型
平面連接之 合圈
Two-dimensional Joinery: Joint Ring
傳統(tǒng)的團扇中存在一種獨特的平面連接“合圈”，就是將彎曲的木條圍合成一個圓形平面，形成扇面骨架，再通過榫卯的方式與扇柄連接。
A unique planar joinery, " joint ring ," is found in traditional round fans, where bent wood strips are formed into a circular plane to create the fan frame, which is then connected to the handle via mortise-and-tenon.
其他木的連接
Other Wood Joinery Forms
在我國北方的林地、草原地區(qū)，也存在多種頗具特色的木的連接形式，包括東北地區(qū)的井干式建筑，以及鄂倫春族、鄂溫克族將樺樹皮物盡其用，做成帳篷、船只、搖籃等，還有草原地區(qū)用“軸轉”、“插卡”方式制作的蒙古包。
Various distinctive wood joinery forms also exist in the forested and grassland regions of Northern China. These include the log cabin (Jinggan-style) architecture of Northeast China, the Oroqen and Ewenki peoples' utilization of birch bark for tents, boats, cradles, etc., and the yurts of the grasslands, which utilize "Axle Rotation" and "Plug-in" assembly methods.
樺樹皮制作的桶
Wood Joinery Research Outcomes
在對侗寨木構建筑、編木廊橋、傳統(tǒng)龍舟等基于自然環(huán)境與地域文化的多種制木工藝進行考察和研究后，融設計圖書館和感物從立體、平面兩個維度，對中國傳統(tǒng)木作中的木的連接形式進行了分析與歸納，得到了木的連接研究圖譜，并嘗試制作了多種工藝樣品，以此還原和展示研究中不同的連接結構。
After investigating and studying various woodcraft techniques based on natural environments and regional cultures—such as Dong village architecture, woven wood corridor bridges, and traditional dragon boats—the Rong Design Library and Ugan concept have analyzed and categorized the joinery forms in traditional Chinese woodcraft from both three-dimensional and two-dimensional perspectives. This resulted in a Wood Joinery Research Atlas, and various process samples were created to demonstrate and display the different joint structures studied.
“木的連接”研究圖譜
部分研究成果樣品
此次“木的連接”主題研究探尋了不同地域和文化中的多種制木技藝及其所用的連接方法，并從當代設計的角度進行了梳理和總結。至此，感物支持融設計圖書館并共同參與的“中國傳統(tǒng)手工藝材料之木材料”五年研究計劃告一段落，而關于傳統(tǒng)木材料的當代設計思考還在繼續(xù)。
This "Wood Joinery" thematic research explored diverse woodcraft techniques and their associated joinery methods across different regions and cultures, systematically organized and summarizing them from a contemporary design perspective. With this, the five-year "Traditional Chinese Handicraft Material" research plan, supported by Ugan concept and co-participated with the Rong Design Library, concludes. However, the contemplation on the contemporary design applications of traditional wood materials continues.
攝影：王晨
特別鳴謝：融設計圖書館
Photography: Wang Chen
Special Thanks: Rong Design Library
