The traditional Chinese wood craft of joinery has a history of thousands of years. The feature is that can firmly join wooden boards without using glue or nails. This technique is commonly used in architecture and furniture making. The ancient people applied this technique to create the Burr puzzle, a wooden structure composed of three axes and containing mortise and tenon joints. Burr puzzle is sometimes seen of as toys, but it is a manifestation of old knowledge that has been transmitted to us. Beyond being toys, I wonder what other uses there may be for the puzzle.

My father ran a business in wood industry for many years. I grew up in a wood mill and learned carpentry skills when I was young. He often taught me that in addition to woodworking skills, but also know how to utilize the materials. Wood is a natural resource, and each piece has its own unique color and grain, just like people have their own strengths and weaknesses. We must learn to appreciate the characteristics of every material, highlighting its advantages and concealing its flaws. He also taught me to make the best use of the materials, treating even the smallest piece as a precious treasure. Combining wood is like pairing people of diverse personalities and lifestyles requires them to accept one another to create a stunning composition. Nowadays, I have seen that modern people pursue immediate results. I have always thought of ways to enable others to learn craft techniques and pass them on.