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About the Workshop
A hands-on project applying joinery and layout skills to a simple but refined tool box—an essential piece in any Japanese craft shop. Students will plane, chisel, and fit each joint with a close attention to detail, learning how precision and restraint give elegance to utility. You’ll leave with a finished tool box ready to hold your growing kit of Japanese tools.
I built a few of these style tool boxes while studying in Japan, they were based off of a box/tray a coworker had on his shelf. The box, as a rule, was very utilitarian, but the finger joint ends added just enough flourish to present a fun challenge.
Topics Covered
Design considerations for a woodworking project, how do we go from idea to plan?
Overview of stock preparation and material sourcing.
Interpreting plans and transferring layout to material.
Joinery cutting techniques.
Sawing and chiseling.
Fitting and assembly of the toolbox.
Included with Tuition
Meals Included - This workshop includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on each day with the exception of the last day, where only breakfast and lunch are served. Meals are typically brought in or cooked family style.
Project Materials - Each student will be provided with high quality lumber stock for project.
Prerequisites
To gain the maximum value from this workshop, it is recommend you have some woodworking experience. Please inquire if you are a beginner so we can plan accordingly. Consider taking one of our Japanese Woodworking Bootcamps prior to this course.
See our Prerequisites information for qualifying prior training.
Required Tools
The following tools are required to get the most out of your experience. A loner may be available but not guaranteed. Bringing incorrect, poor quality, or damaged tools will limit your ability to participate in the class. Tools should be sharp and ready to use at the beginning of class. Please contact us for assistance in purchasing tools prior the the workshop.
Japanese Chisel 12, 15, or 18mm
Small kanna or hand plane (48-54mm)
Japanese hammer
240mm Ryoba Saw
500mm Metric Japanese square, sashigane
Your personal sharpening gear
0.5mm Mechanical Pencil, or 0.3 Micron Pen or similar fine marking implement
Optional Tools
Bladed or ball-pen kebiki / marking gauge (highly recommended)
Marking knife
Larger hand plane for finishing
Bevel, angle, or combo square
Buy Tools for this Workshop
All tools, both required and most optional tools related to this workshop are listed below. You may purchase them along with your workshop registration and pick them up at the beginning of the workshop. Not all tools below are required, see above in the class description for the required items. Contact us if you are unsure of what you might need or have a suitable substitute.
