From Forest to Form | Japanese Carpentry at Shōya House

Discover the artistry of Japanese carpentry like never before in a special pre-exhibition event. In celebration of the upcoming “Masters of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill and Spirit” exhibition, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles will partner with The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, to host a live demonstration and hands-on experience at their Japanese Heritage Shōya House.

Led by master carpenter Akinori Abo, one of the daiku artisans who has helped construct the exhibition opening November 20th at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, this casual program will introduce participants to traditional Japanese woodworking philosophies & techniques. Attendees will learn about the evolution and use of Japanese woodworking tools like planes and chisels, followed by a live demonstration of ultra-thin planing from master Abo, whose record is an unbelievably thin 3 microns.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to try their own hand at using Japanese planes under the expert guidance of the guest carpenters*.

Note: *This interactive program is open to the public, and participants are welcome to drop in anytime between 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. RSVP is not required. Depending on demand and time, not all visitors may be able to have a “hands-on” experience.

About the Master Carpenter

When Akinori Abo was in elementary school, he was deeply impressed by the planning skills of a carpenter hired to renovate his house. Under the carpenter’s hand, the old wood magically transformed into something beautiful. After graduating from middle school, Abo apprenticed living with a carpenter for three years, and then began a journey of self-study searching for skilled carpenters to learn from.

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Born with extreme chemical sensitivity, Abo has aimed to create people friendly buildings using only natural materials. It has been a challenging path, often resisting the tide of the times. Abo says, “As a craftsman, I want to take responsibility for my work, receive direct feedback on what I leave behind, and see the joy on people’s faces.” With these thoughts in mind, he established his company Kōbokusha in January 2000.

The humorously named "Kezurō-kai," literally the “Shaving Association.” has a competition among carpenters to determine the finest shavings using a plane. Each shaving reflects the mastery of the craft. Over time, these shavings came to be known as "Kezuri-bana", plane flowers. Abo won the third competition (1998) and boasts a record of 3μ (3 microns), 3% of the thickness of a human hair. Before long, he had a global following.

Since 2006, Abo has been participating in projects with the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum. The structural model of the Sa-an tearoom built by Abo, featured in the Masters of Carpentry exhibition at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, has been showcased in presentations worldwide extending from Harvard University to Finland, China, Poland, and France.

Related Exhibition

In Japan, a rich tradition of carpentry and wood craftsmanship has flourished over centuries, driven by imperial and sacred architecture. Daiku, the revered master carpenters, honor nature by sourcing wood harmoniously with the forest. Renowned for their precision, Japanese woodworking techniques embody a profound reverence for nature. Despite limited metal ore resources, Japanese craftsmen innovated world-class carpentry tools and joinery techniques. This exhibition honors Japanese carpenters, showcasing their tools and indispensable joinery techniques. A full-scale teahouse and recreated section of hip-and-gable roof from the temple at Yakushi-ji, exemplify the holistic relationship between forest, skill, and spirit, celebrating the enduring legacy of Japanese craftsmanship and its environmental harmony.

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