About

shokunin / craftsperson, artisan

The Shokunin Series was designed to equip students with a strong foundation in Japanese woodworking. With the completion of the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Courses, students will have gained competencies in the following:

  • The essential skill of sharpening blades.

  • Setting up and maintenance of the core hand tools used in Japanese woodworking.

  • Proper and safe usage of these tools.

  • A deep understanding of wood and how to work in harmony with it.

  • The ability to layout and mark accurately, which is the beginning of a good joint.

  • The ability to dimension timber to high precision to produce well-fitting and sound joinery.

  • Sensitivity of the hand, eye and body.

With these foundational skills, students will be able to proceed sure-footedly on their own journey.

 

About The Tools You Will Receive During The Course

“Quality tools lead to quality work”

All of the tools we procure for students are professional-grade woodworking tools from Japan.  Most of these tools are hand-forged by blacksmiths in Miki City, Hyogo prefecture, famed for production of high quality carpentry tools.

We select tools that are used by or recommended by practicing carpenters, and those we have tried for ourselves. Professional-grade tools have to deliver high performance to meet the rigorous demands of daily work. This sets them apart from mass-produced, inferior tools targeted at hobbyists.

We hope that students will come to know what constitutes good tools, how they perform well, and continue to craft quality work with them long after the courses.

Beginner: 48mm Japanese Plane (kanna) & Sharpening Stone

Intermediate: Bench Chisel (oiire-nomi) & Fine-toothed saw (dozuki)

Advanced: Bench Chisel (oiire-nomi) & Paring Chisel (tsukkinomi)

 

Why We Keep Our Classes Small

As the Shokunin Series places great emphasis on building foundational skills, it is important that students learn proper technique that they can continue to refine. We limit the class size to maintain quality of instruction, ensuring each student receives maximum attention and tailored guidance.