Yeh Ken-chuang

Yeh Ken-chuang (Chinese: 葉根壯; pinyin: Yè Gēnzhuàng, 31 July 1932 – 23 July 2014) was a Taiwanese master carpenter, woodcarver, and expert in traditional Taiwanese architecture from Magong.[1] He was known as "Master Chuang" within the carpentry community in Taiwan.[2][3]

Yeh specialized in large traditional wooden architectural structures, including temples and other buildings.[2] His notable works included the Long Men Kuanyin Temple and the Wang An Wu Fu Temple, both located in the Penghu Islands.[2] In 2010, the government of Penghu County certified Yeh as a preservationist of traditional timber framing techniques.[2] He was scheduled to be named as a candidate for "Living National Treasure" of Taiwan on 22 July 2014, at the time of his death.[2]

He died in the TransAsia Airways Flight 222 plane crash at Magong Airport on 23 July 2014 at the age of 82.[2] President Ma Ying-jeou announced that the Bureau of Cultural Heritage would preserve Yeh's records and documents on his timber framing techniques.[2]