Explore the Art of Japanese Woodworking with Traditional Tools: History, Techniques and Application

anthea klein: my son loves this product

United States on Feb 14, 2024

Alexander Lichter: Whether you have decades of experience or haven’t even seen a tool in real life, I recommend this book. I have over 12 years in the construction industry and now teach construction classes. This book is about the author’s life as a carpenter and the tools he used or were used when he was working. It talks about how to use them, how to care for them and how to respect them. It’s a great read and I think you would enjoy it!

United States on Oct 17, 2022

Yom: The media could not be loaded.  Livre unique riche en détails. J'ai l'impression d'avoir rencontré un ébéniste japonais.

France on Sep 01, 2022

jeffrey: Just love this book. I have learned so mutch about the spirits of the tools, just love it. It's so well written and the way Toshio talks about his tools is so full of admiration.
If you love the history of tools you must read this book, it's now one of my favorites in my collection.

Netherlands on Jul 02, 2022

naji el zein: If you like Japanese woodworking tools, this book is for you… it goes in depth on the spirit and logic behind the tool . I highly recommend it!

Canada on Feb 05, 2022

Matteo B: Davvero un buon libro, ampiamente illustrato con disegni "vecchio stile".
Formato generoso, ben impaginato.
Sono molto soddisfatto.

Italy on Nov 14, 2020

Jose Jesus Herrera: Las considero unas joyas en mi taller, por el acabado y su funcionalidad. Muy satisfecho

Mexico on Nov 03, 2020

M Rose: If you are looking for information on the sometimes mystifying topic of Japanese carpentry tools, this book written in the 80's could be really useful.Odate does a great job of categorizing the different kinds of tools ,including the more exotic items like keshiki (gauges) and sumitisubo (ink line) with really extensive drawings, and tips for do-it-yourself maintenance, like chisel and saw re- handling.His insights into the Japanese craftsman's attitude toward workmanship and their traditional tools is unique. Still, the photos are muddy and small, and some of the explanations are just puzzling. He doesn't cover any of the amazing joinery that can be done (and has) with these refined,and yet basic tools. The book could really use an update to fix these problems, but since there aren't a lot of books around on this topic, its' still the best thing going ,in English.

United States on May 10, 2013

Ronin: This is an excellent introduction to Japanese tools. I really love this book. This is really about Shokunin, craftsmen or artisan in the literal sense. More correctly, a Shokunin means not only having technical skill but implies an attitude and social consciousness. The qualities are encompassed in the word but are seldom written.

"The Shokunin demonstrates knowledge of tools and skill with them, the ability to create beauty and the capacity to work with incredible speed. The value of an object is dependent on a subtle combination of skill and speed; this is what the apprentices master and collegues teach, and this is what the Shokunin believes. One without the other is not Shokunin."

"The Shokunin has a social obligation to work his best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, if society requires it, the Shokunin's responsibility is to fulfill the requirement."

Prior to moving to the US, the author was a Shokunin and was raised in a family who passed the art to him. The passionate description of their relationship with their tools, and the proper care is really inspiring.

So...

United States on Jun 03, 2009

David C. Brayton: This book is much more than a owner's manual for Japanese tools. The author, Toshio Odate, grew up with a father that was a woodworker and he apprenticed with his father.

The author shares many of his experiences; the unique methods of teaching are really quite different than American methods. For example, as an apprentice, there is no formal instruction--the apprentice must learn by observing the master while the apprentice is working--and woe be upon any apprentice that takes his attention away from his work. How one 'learns' in this situation is beyond me but apparently it works.

A couple of other examples: Odate-san left some stones freeze one evening during the winter which cracked them. That warranted a substantial beating.

Odate-san saved his extra money for a year and purchased a quality hand plane which is master promptly confiscated and he never saw it again. Apparently, because Odate-san was stil an apprentice, he was not worthy of quality tools and would never be allowed to see this tool, which he saved for for over a year, again.

I can't comprehend why breaking Odate-san's heart was a good way to teach him woodworking skills, but he seems...

United States on Jul 09, 2006