From Forest to Form: Japanese Carpentry at Shōya House
Visitors will also have the opportunity to try their own hand at using Japanese planes under the expert guidance of the guest carpenters, depending on time and availability. Led by master carpenter Akinori Abo—one of the daiku artisans who helped construct the “Masters of Carpentry” exhibition, opening Nov. 20 at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles—this program will introduce participants to traditional Japanese woodworking philosophies and techniques. Attendees will learn about the evolution and use of Japanese woodworking tools, such as planes and chisels, followed by a live demonstration of ultra-thin planing from master Abo, whose record is an unbelievably thin 3 microns.
Learn more about JAPAN HOUSE LA’s exhibition “Masters of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill, and Spirit.”
Key Details
- This interactive program is open to the public, and participants are welcome to drop in anytime between noon and 3 p.m. RSVP is not required.
- Depending on time and availability, not all visitors may be able to have this hands-on experience.
Exterior view of the Japanese Heritage Shōya House. Photo: Joshua White / JWPictures.com | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
The original roof beams were used in the reconstructed framework of the house. New framing was added when use of the original wood was not feasible. Photo by John Diefenbach. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
The original roof beams were used in the reconstructed framework of the house. Photo by John Diefenbach. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
About the Master Carpenter
When Akinori Abo was in elementary school, he was deeply impressed by the planing 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 while living with a carpenter for three years and then began a journey of self-study, searching for skilled carpenters to learn from.
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,” or plane flowers. Abo won the third competition in 1998 and boasts a record of 3μ (3 microns), around 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, from Harvard University to Finland, China, Poland, and France.
Experience a restored home and agricultural compound from 18th-century Japan that provides a glimpse into rural life some 300 years ago. Built around 1700, this 3,000-square-foot residence served as the center of village life in Marugame, Japan.
JAPAN HOUSE seeks to foster awareness of Japan around the world by showcasing the very best of Japanese art, design, entertainment, gastronomy, innovation, technology, and more. An innovative project of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JAPAN HOUSE is comprised of three hubs—Los Angeles, London, and Sao Paulo. JapanHouseLA.com | @JapanHouseLA