| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 公输班, 公輸班, Gōngshū Bān |
| Nickname | Master Carpenter, Saint of Craftsmen |
| Other name | Công Thâu Ban (Lỗ Ban) |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | 507 BC |
| Birth Place | State of Lu (鲁国; nước Lỗ) |
| Died | 444 BC |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | State of Lu |
| Battles | Chu-Song Siege |
Biography & Historical Record
Gongshu Ban (公输班, Công Thâu Ban), widely known by his posthumous title Lu Ban (鲁班, Lỗ Ban), was a legendary Chinese carpenter, engineer, philosopher, inventor, and statesman during the Spring and Autumn period. Born in the State of Lu, he is revered as the patron saint of Chinese builders and contractors. According to the Mozi (墨子, Mặc Tử), he was a prolific inventor of siege weaponry. His most famous creation, the Yun ti (Cloud Ladder), was specifically designed to help the State of Chu (楚, Sở) attack the State of Song (宋, Tống). However, through the diplomatic and strategic intervention of Mozi (墨子, Mặc Tử), who engaged him in a series of simulated siege games, Gongshu Ban was persuaded to cease his efforts for the Chu invasion. Beyond warfare, his contributions to manual tools—such as the saw, the drill, the plane, and the L-shaped square—transformed Chinese construction technology for millennia. He is often credited with mythic inventions, such as a wooden bird (kite) that could fly for three days.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
While Gongshu Ban predates the Three Kingdoms period by centuries, his name is frequently invoked in the text as a synonym for unmatched mechanical ingenuity. Strategists and engineers in the novel, such as Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng), are often compared to him when discussing the creation of complex devices like the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse (木牛流马, Mộc Ngưu Lưu Mã), emphasizing that their craftsmanship rivals that of the ancient master.
Gongshu Ban — Historical & Literary Timeline
507 BC
Birth in the State of Lu
Gongshu Ban is born in the State of Lu, a region celebrated for its cultural and intellectual heritage.
450 BC
The Chu-Song Confrontation
Employed by the State of Chu, he designs the ‘Cloud Ladder’ for the invasion of the State of Song. His plans are thwarted by the pacifist philosopher Mozi (墨子, Mặc Tử).
444 BC
Passing of the Master
The legendary inventor passes away, leaving behind a legacy that would see him deified in later centuries as the master of all craftsmen.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Gongshu Ban (Lu Ban) on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
- Mozi (墨子, Mặc Tử)
- The philosopher who acted as both a rival and a moral conscience to Gongshu Ban, famously convincing him to abandon the use of his siege inventions against the State of Song.
- State of Chu (楚, Sở)
- The state that employed Gongshu Ban as their primary military engineer to expand their hegemony during the late Spring and Autumn period.
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