Everyone knows Lu Ban, he is a legendary figure among ancient craftsmen. But why was his book "The Book of Luban" banned as a banned book? Experts unveiled this mystery at the very beginning.
Luban's legendary past
Lu Ban, born in the thirteenth year of King Jing of Zhou, has an ordinary family, but his childhood was full of curiosity about craftsmanship. His father was his earliest teacher and taught him to use basic tools patiently. And it was during the construction of a small bridge that Luban witnessed his father's defeat, which became a turning point in his path to a craftsman.
Luban learned from his failures and realized that complex projects could not be accomplished by experience and intuition alone. So, he decided to delve deeper into Xi geometry and mechanics to explore a deeper knowledge of the craft.
In Search of the "God of Carpenters"
At the age of twenty, Luban embarked on a journey to find a deeper level of carpentry skills. Hearing that there was an old man known as the "God of Carpenters" in Nanshan, Lu Ban did not hesitate to embark on an expedition. The old man not only taught him the basic skills of carpentry, but more importantly, guided him to learn Xi complex geometric calculations and mechanical principles, laying the foundation for Luban's skills to reach new heights.
The pinnacle of Luban's craftsmanship
Under the guidance of the old man, Lu Ban not only mastered carpentry skills, but also learned how to use the principles of geometry and mechanics to improve construction techniques. His invention not only improved construction technology, but also increased production efficiency, making his fame spread in Lu and even neighboring countries.
Creation of "Luban Book"
Lu Ban realized that the method of word of mouth could easily cause the subtle skills to be lost, so he decided to compile the "Book of Lu Ban" to pass on the skills. The book details the use of various tools and architectural techniques, and delves deeper into the theoretical foundations of craft design. However, the opening sentence "If you want to learn this art, you must first stop it" gives the book a hint of mystery and taboo.
The mystery of the banned book
Despite its rich content, the Book of Luban was gradually labeled as a "banned book" because it contained some content that was considered heresy, such as mechanically made "automata". Under the ideological control and class solidification of feudal society, although the artisan class was respected to a certain extent, their knowledge and skills were often feared by the upper class.
The Book of Luban was born at a time when China was transitioning from slavery to feudalism. This book may be a way of rebellion and struggle of the artisan class against the upper class, and it also reflects the ideological control and class solidification of feudal society. Regardless of whether it is forbidden or not, Luban's craft philosophy and esoteric knowledge have had a profound impact on later generations of craftsmen and architects.
Through the Book of Luban, we have a glimpse of the wonderful world of ancient craftsmen and feel the profound connotation of the craftsman spirit. Perhaps, as Lu Ban said: "The skill of a craftsman is not only the dexterity of the hands, but also the wisdom of the soul." ”