Foundation Course

14 Days | Okayama, Japan

14 Days Course Outline:

  • Introduction to traditional Japanese carpentry:

    1. Timber framing history in Japan and Ishibatate design principles

    2. Day trip to Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum in Kobe, Japan

  • Introduction to basic woodworking tools:

    1. Ryoba Saw 240mm

    2. Bench Chisels 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 15mm (Oire Nomi)

    3. 150 momme Hammer with separate handle (Genno) (you will make your own handle in class)

    4. Plane 54mm (Kanna)

    5. Square 15cm x 30cm, 25cm x 50cm (metric) (Sashigane)

    6. Sharpening Stones

    7. Dozuki Crosscut Saw

    8. Straight edge & sandpaper

    9. Ink Line Marking Gauge (Kebiki)

    10. Dai Naoshi Kanna

  • Visit to blacksmiths and tool shops

  • Tuning and setting up chisels, hammer and hand planes

  • Blade sharpening methods using water stones

  • Laying out using traditional center-line methods with ink and sashigane

  • Hand tool practice through the cutting of basic joinery (using saws, chisels and hand planes)

  • Finishing wood surfaces through the use of a finely-tuned hand plane (Kanna)

  • Hewing with adze (Chouna) and broad axe (Ono)

  • Joinery Tree

Class Schedule:

  • Class size: 8 students

  • Lessons: Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm

  • Teachers available until 5pm

  • Our workshop space can be used daily for practice from 9am to 6pm

  • We will conduct day-trips and excursions on Saturdays

  • Course will be conducted in English

Additional Info:

  • Meals and accommodation are not provided.

  • We can however recommend hotels that are near Okayama Station.

  • Transportation will be provided daily between the workshop and Okayama Station.

  • You will need to prepare the following tools to attend the class. We can help you purchase on your behalf if you do not have them:

    1. Ryoba Saw 240mm

    2. Bench Chisels 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 15mm (Oire Nomi)

    3. 150 momme Hammer with separate handle (Genno) (you will make your own handle in class)

    4. Plane 54mm (Kanna)

    5. Square 15cm x 30cm, 25cm x 50cm (metric) (Sashigane)

    6. Sharpening Stones

    7. Dozuki Crosscut Saw

    8. Straight edge & sandpaper

    9. Ink Line Marking Gauge (Kebiki)

    10. Dai Naoshi Kanna

School Fees:

  • ¥470,000

  • Upon confirmation, we will send you an email with more information regarding accommodation options, tool purchase and the course so that you can plan your trip in advance.

  • If you are suddenly unable to attend the course we may be able to find a replacement from our waitlist and arrange for a partial refund.

  • In the event of unavailability, we will offer to add you to our waiting list.

  • Cancellation Policy:

    1. 60 days before start date:

      1. Cancel: 50% refund

      2. No changing of course/course date

    2. 30 days before start date:

      1. No refund

      2. No changing of course/course date