What exactly is a carpenter?

Carpentry is an ancient trade. In ancient times, carpenters were called "carpenters", "craftsmen", "zi smiths", "zi people". Carpentry is a profession and a craft.

Carpenters use wood as a material, they stretch the rope and ink, draw lines with a pen, then take a planer to flatten, and then measure with a gauge, based on the size and requirements of a variety of furniture and crafts.

"Carpentry" is the most common name, and it appeared in the Spring and Autumn period. However, at that time it was still only an official name, indicating the scope of its duties. According to the Book of Rituals, "The six workers of the Son of Heaven were: earthworker, goldworker, stoneworker, woodworker, beastworker, and grassworker." Carpentry has a long history, as early as the pre-Qin period, there was this occupation, at that time was regarded as an inferior occupation, so the upper class people do not learn carpentry this craft.

"Zi smith" or "zi man" is also a common term for carpenters. In ancient times, however, ziyin was only one type of carpenter, specializing in making frames for drinking, bows and arrows, and bells and chimes.