China has proposed the watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks as a candidate for the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Its description for proposal is as follow: Originating in South China’s Fujian Province, the watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks enables the construction of ocean-going vessels equipped with watertight compartments. In the event of damage to one or two cabins during navigation, seawater is prevented from flooding other cabins, allowing the ship to remain afloat. The junks are primarily made of camphor, pine, and fir wood, assembled by using traditional carpentry tools. Key techniques involved in the construction of these junks include mortise and tenon joints, which refer to the tongue and groove joints of wooden planks, and the use of materials such as ramie, tung oil, and lime to seal the gaps between the planks. Shipbuilding projects are overseen by a master craftsman, who supervises a large team of craftsmen working in coordination. Local communities also participate in the process. They hold solemn ceremonies during the construction and before the ship's launch, praying for the safety of the crew. The experience and working methods of constructing watertight-bulkhead junks are passed down orally from master to apprentices. However, as wooden ships are replaced by steel ones, the demand for Chinese junks has sharply declined. Today, there are only three master craftsmen who has full command of the technology. Additionally, scarcity of raw materials led to increased construction costs, further decreasing the spread of this traditional craft and forcing inheritors to seek alternative employment.

Translator: SHEN Ruixuan

Reviewer: PAN Wenrui