Learn Basic Japanese Woodworking.

In this course, you will learn all about tuning, sharpening and using Japanese carpentry tools and acquire the skills to get you started into the wonderful world of woodworking.

Find out more about the Shokunin Series here.

Is this course for me?

As this is a beginner course, there are no prerequisite skills or knowledge required. If you consider yourself a beginner user of hand tools (not power tools), this course is for you. If you have a little more experience in woodcrafting then you should consider signing up for the Shokunin Advance.

What you will learn:

  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of Japanese hand tools and appreciate why they are so differently made from Western tools.

  • Acquire essential competencies of sharpening tools. A sharp tool is not only safer to use, it gives the craftsman the ability to make precisely fitted joints that the Japanese are known for. You will receive a Japanese sharpening stone and learn how to use it.

  • How to set up a Japanese plane (kanna) for use. You will receive a new professional grade Japanese 48mm kanna and will learn how to get it ready for use.

  • Develop essential psycho-motor carpentry skills of sawing and planing.

  • Technique of laying out a box structure

  • How to make a Japanese toolbox using newly acquired techniques

Workshop Details

Workshop Date:

19th -21st December 2024

2025

24th - 26th Jan 2025

27th Feb - 1 Mar 2025

Class duration : 3 days, 9am - 6pm daily

Suitable for: Age 18 and above

Number of participants: Maximum class size of 4

Course Fees : $980 per participant. Course fees include all materials and the professional-grade woodworking tools you will receive worth $200. Find out more about the tools here. Course fees are non-refundable. This course is not Skillsfuture enabled.

Registration Fee: One-time Mokko Wood Studio registration fee $50. Registration fees are waived for participants who have taken prior courses at Mokko Wood Studio.

Please feel free to bring along your personal tools for the workshop, free storage is available for the duration of the workshop.

What you will be doing for the 3 days.

In this course, you will learn the necessary knowledge to properly set up, tune and maintain the core tools of a Japanese craftsman (shokunin). You will then be guided through the process of making your own shokunin toolbox.

The first day of the course begins with an overview of Mokko Wood Studio’s toolkit, including the core working tools that are used by Japanese carpenters. You will then be provided with your very own Japanese wood plane (kanna) and instructed on how to properly prepare it for work. You will learn how to prepare the plane and tune it to take paper-thin shavings. You will also receive your very own Japanese sharpening whetstone to sharpen and hone the blade.

The second and third day of the course will commence with building the shokunin’s toolbox. Japanese toolboxes are made to carry tools to the work place, but it is also a resting place for the shokunin’s tools and thus a symbol of the shokunin. Building begins first with proper planning. You will learn how to layout box structures and learn how to avoid the common pitfalls that commonly beguile beginners. You will then dimension the wood stock with your freshly tuned tools before final assembly.

Proper techniques of sawing, planing and box assembly will be emphasized - because it is not merely the toolbox that you will take home, more importantly, it is to take home the skills that you will gain to continue building items long after the workshop is over.

Day 1

  • Introduction to Japanese Tools

  • Introduction to the Japanese wood plane (kanna)

  • Principles of Sharpening woodworking blades

Day 2

  • How to prepare and tune the kanna for use

  • Planing techniques for precision

  • Sawing technique

  • Toolbox Project: Thinking inside a box.

  • Toolbox Project: Laying it all out.

Day 3

  • Toolbox Project: Clear Cut.

  • Toolbox Project: Absolutely nailing it!

  • Project exhibition and debrief


What do people say after attending this course?

Read the reviews that past participants leave on Google reviews

I had such a great experience spending 3 full days away from my full time job to attend woodworking classes at Mokko Wood Studio. I work in tech but I’ve always had an interest in building something with my own hands since I was a child, and being in the beginner Shokunin class was a great way to rekindle that passion, especially during these trying times with the pandemic keeping our options to explore new things very limited.

Alvan is so patient, and very knowledgeable in his craft. Some parts of the class was a bit challenging, but I came out at the end feeling very accomplished for what we were able to create. On top of the practical lessons, Alvan had so many beautiful stories to tell, and it was inspiring to learn from someone who is this passionate about what he does. I really admired his positivity and discipline in his craft.

I came out of the class with a kanna we sharpened and tuned with our own hands, a beautiful, traditional Japanese toolbox that now holds the great memories I had in the studio, new friends, and a newfound respect for toolsmiths and woodworkers. Joining this class also reminded me to be mindful of the smallest of details, and it was a healthy change of pace and way of thinking especially when you’re always drowned in a fast-paced environment.

It was such an honour learning from Alvan and his team, and I am now looking forward to making more progress in my woodworking journey.

If you are looking to learn something new and meaningful, I highly recommend enrolling in classes at Mokko Wood Studio. 🙏🏼


Kyle Francia


“I took the 3-day beginner course and really like it! It sets the foundation well for beginners who want to learn the techniques and pursue woodmaking more seriously. The object is NOT to make a thing (although we make a tool box for practice), but to learn how to make things. The course is well balanced between principles, techniques, and practice. A lot of tricks that I cannot learn from youtube, and would save me much time going forward in practice. Alvan is patient, thorough and dedicated, and my 2 classmates are also interesting and nice. Great time spent.”

Luyi Zheng

Registration

You will be directed to a registration page to fill in some basic details. We will then be contacting you with payment instructions within 3 days of receiving your registration. Your registration is only confirmed with payment. Accepted forms of payment are bank transfer, PayNow, Paylah!, and PayPal.

Questions?

Please contact us for any queries.

If you’re travelling from abroad, you may find our Support for International Students page helpful with your planning.