The Somakosha School
The Japanese Tradition Taught By Professionals
Founded in 2012, Somakosha is a traditional Japanese carpentry firm based in Okayama, Japan. We are an active construction company with projects both in Japan and around the world. Over the years, we have received many requests for lessons and apprenticeships. This overwhelming interest has led us to start a school in order to reach those looking to pursue either a professional or an amateur exploration of the Japanese tradition. Come learn Japan’s wood working tradition from the masters themselves - one step at a time!
杣耕社は2012年に岡山を拠点に活動する工務店として設立されました。現在では日本国内と海外に活動範囲を広げています。数年に渡りたくさんの弟子の受け入れと大工技術講座の開催をたくさんの方々からお問い合わせいただいています。日本の伝統構法についての皆さまの熱い思いが、我々を大工学校の開催へと導きました。ぜひ日本にいらしてください。皆で日本の大工技術について少しずつ学びましょう！
“The Future of Tradition, Worldwide”
Your Courses
Foundation
14 days | Okayama, Japan
¥470,000
For all levels and abilities. Gain an introductory understanding of Japanese carpentry principles, hand tool use, and learn how to cut basic joinery.
Intermediate
14 days | Okayama, Japan
¥470,000
The intermediate course begins your journey of building a full traditional Japanese timber frame. From designing to scribing, you will build a segment of a traditional frame - learning a variety of joinery and assembly methods. Recommended Prerequisite: Foundation
Advanced I
14 days | Okayama, Japan
¥470,000
The first advanced course breaks into the world of the Toryo’s (head carpenter’s) role. Learning the basics of roof design, you will be challenged with more complex joinery and gain a deeper understanding of the origins of traditional Japanese proportions and aesthetic. Recommended Prerequisite: Intermediate
Advanced II
Okayama, Japan
Coming Soon! Please email us at somakoshaschool@gmail to join the waitlist.
Fine Woodworking:
Doors
12 days | Okayama, Japan
¥440,000
An intensive workshop on door making that leads up to a more advanced door making course. Learn the basics of designing and making a door, as well as the various door types, inserts and hardware that can go with it. Recommended Prerequisite: Foundation
Fine Woodworking:
Kumiko
7 days | Okayama, Japan
¥400,000
An intensive workshop on kumiko making. Learn the tools and jigs needed to make kumiko patterns by hand. The workshop will give each student the opportunity to cut and fit pattern pieces for different types of jigumi (foundation grid) and will culminate in the creation of their own kumiko panel. Recommended Prerequisite: Foundation
Traditional Japanese
Plastering
9 days | Okayama, Japan
Accommodation Provided
¥440,000
An intensive workshop in traditional Japanese plastering and contemporary earth and lime finishes. We will introduce the history, plastering procedures, materials and tools, with an emphasis on plastering fundamentals. You will be introduced to and have lots of practice with the following techniques: Shikkui (lime, hemp, seaweed glue), Nami-Otsu (coloured clay, lime, hemp), Kirikaeshi (fine clay, sand, straw), Nakanuri (earthen plaster brown coat), Arakabe (clay, chopped straw), Takekomai (traditional Japanese bamboo lattice). This workshop is for all levels and abilities.
Custom Workshops
Fully customizable | Worldwide
Please contact us directly if you are looking to customise a class or workshop to your needs, or have a need for a guest instructor. Please email us at: somakoshaschool@gmail.com
Meet Your Instructors
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Kohei Yamamoto
FOUNDER, SOMAKOSHA
1st Class Licensed Architect | 1st Class Licensed Carpenter
Before founding Somakosha, Kohei worked on many famous temples and shrines - including the Grand Shrine at Izumo, one of only two Grand Shrines in Japan. He is one of the first carpenters to re-introduce the traditional Ishibatate style of construction to the modern era. -
Jonathan Stollenmeyer
PARTNER & DIRECTOR, SOMAKOSHA
BS.Arch, DAAP, University of CincinattiBefore becoming a partner at Somakosha, Jon apprenticed at Nakamura Sotoji Komuten. This world-renowned Kyoto carpentry firm specializes in Tea-House Architecture. He has worked on renovations of the teahouse at the Grand Shrine at Ise. He also has experience with high profile luxury residential and ryokan projects in Japan and abroad.
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Jon Billing
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Founder of Big Sand Woodworking
Jon is a highly skilled furniture maker and also the founder of Big Sand Woodworking. His studio based in Ibaraki, designs and makes custom furniture for clients within Japan and abroad. He frequently collaborates with Somakosha on their residential projects.
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Kyle Holzhueter, PhD
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Founder of Permaculture Center Kamimomi
Kyle works as a builder, researcher and educator specializing in natural building materials and sustainable systems such as light rice husk lime insulation, natural plasters and energy efficiency. He is a graduate of the Kyoto Plastering Institute and the first westerner in Japan to pass the highest level Japanese National Plastering Exam. He also has a PhD in Bioresource Sciences from Nihon University where he researched the hygrothermal environment of straw bale walls and building practices to control moisture. In 2017 Kyle founded Permaculture Center Kamimomi, a Permaculture demonstration and education site in Okayama, Japan. -
Zac Vinson
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Carpenter at Somakosha
Zac comes from a line of carpenters in Tennessee. He started learning carpentry from the age of 7 and began his professional woodworking career after turning 18. Before joining Somakosha as a carpenter, Zac ran a successful woodworking company for over 7 years. He has since then worked together with Somakosha on residential and temple restoration projects.