A Preliminary Study on Tangshan Chinese Carpenters′ Migratory Routes in Taiwan During the Japanese Period (1910~1928): Using Xidi Carpenters from Quanzhou County as a Case Study

A study tracing the migratory routes of Quanzhou carpenters from Xidi, Anhui, to Taiwan during Japan's colonial period (1910–1928) reveals how their traditional skills evolved and integrated with local practices. Using census records, oral histories, and literature reviews, researchers found that these carpenters' craft—rooted in Ming Dynasty traditions and patrilineal wisdom—shifted from clan-based concentration to broader inter-state migration, leading to the decline of their traditional skill-transmission system. This migration also created distinct local carpentry styles in Taiwan, blending ethnic, geographical, and construction techniques. The study highlights how overseas labor outsourcing exposed and adapted foreign traditional craftsmanship within new socio-economic contexts.

Lin, Y.-C., Hsu, M.-F., & Wu, T.-C. (2012). A Preliminary Study on Tangshan Chinese Carpenters′ Migratory Routes in Taiwan During the Japanese Period (1910~1928): Using Xidi Carpenters from Quanzhou County as a Case Study. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 11(2), 225–230. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.11.225