Learn the art of shipmaking

Learn The Art of Shipmaking

The Art of Sail-Making

In Jiaocheng District, Ningde City, the traditional sail-making techniques from Zhangwan Fuchuan are a valued cultural heritage. This process involves several steps, incluiding sampling, cutting, sewing sail tendons and holes , and dyeing.

Traditional lychee wood dye boiling in a large vat to create natural reddish-brown dye for Fu Ning's Chinese junk sails.

Ningde's local fresh lychee wood for the dyeing process.

Skilled craftsmen using traditional dyeing techniques to prepare the sails of Fu Ning, a traditional Chinese wooden sailing ship.

Dye the sail (01)

Chinese craftsmen hand-dyeing large fabric sails using traditional techniques during the construction of Fu Ning wooden sailing ship.

Dye the sail (02)

One of the most unique aspects of the whole construction process is the dyed sail. Workers use fresh lychee wood from Ningde, split into small pieces, and boil it in a juice bucket. They check the thickness of the boiling water every hour until a film forms on a bamboo ring, which takes about 22 hours. after cooling, they scoop out the boiled juice and pour it into the dyeing bucket. The sail I soaked in this bucket for about 5 minutes,, then taken out to dry. This process is repeated five to six times, after which the sail is teamed again and dried. The purpose of this method is to give the sail anti-corrosion properties, allowing any damage to be repaired locally without affecting navigation.

Traditional Chinese craftsmen preparing and weaving large fabric sails using bamboo supports during the construction of Fu Ning wooden sailing ship.

Wearing sails

Liu Dengxing, president of the Watertight Septage Fu Ship Research Association, explains that the sails are made from imported nylon cloth and traditional white canvas for durability and lightness. The process of knotting and hanging the sails, also require specific skills. The entire sail-making process involves dozens of people, most of whom are craftsmen over the age of 50. Women usually do the sewing and punching, while men focus on wearing and hanging the sails.

Skilled craftsmen installing a large reddish-brown traditional Chinese junk sail onto Fu Ning wooden sailing ship, showcasing historic Fuchuan shipbuilding techniques.

Hang the sails

Elderly Chinese craftswoman hand-sewing fabric sails using traditional techniques during the construction of Fu Ning, a traditional Chinese wooden sailing ship.

Sewing sails