Lu Jinyu is recognized by the residents of Yong'anzhou town as a carpenter of impressive skill. [Photo/WeChat account: weigg6666]
Lu Jinyu, a 59-year-old carpenter in Yong'anzhou town, located in the Taizhou Medical High-tech Zone, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, makes cutting boards out of ginkgo trees, of which there are many in the city.
He started learning the craft at the age of 16, when he apprenticed under a master. With a hand plane and a chisel, he honed his skills. To support his family, he began making cutting boards when he was 32.
Taizhou's ginkgo trees have a sturdy texture and are rich in natural oils. [Photo/WeChat account: weigg6666]
Taizhou's ginkgo trees have a sturdy texture and are rich in natural oils. They are also naturally resistant to knife marks, making them ideal for cutting boards.
From material selection to finished product, a cutting board takes a month to complete. Steps include planing, which must be done in one go along the wood grain to form a dense natural protective layer, leaving bacteria nowhere to hide.
Nowadays, his cutting boards are not only sold in domestic markets such as Shanghai and Guangzhou but also abroad. His custom cutting boards can be seen in Sushi restaurants in Japan and kimchi workshops in South Korea.
A cutting board made by Lu. [Photo/WeChat account: weigg6666]