The Obssessive perfection of the Japanese artisan

[vertical_doug]

This should be a free article and not paywalled at FT

The obsessive perfection of the Japanese artisan.

https://on.ft.com/3VPhpip


Kojiro Kitada, woodworker
The furniture made by woodworker Kojiro Kitada can be seen as a stool, or turned around to become a side table. Depending on where you view it from, it could also resemble a Brâncuși sculpture. 

Kitada’s pieces are carved from a single block of wood at his workshop in Taishi town, about an hour’s drive from Osaka. It is an area bordering Nara Prefecture, which is rich in forest resources and convenient for timber. 

Kitada shares an old sawmill with several other craftspeople. His windswept workshop, lined only by tin walls, is divided into two parts – a building for bringing in long logs and a storage area for the sawn timber. He works surrounded by wood, beginning first by observing the grain. Then, using a chisel and planer, he starts to carve. 

[bigbill]

I'm thankful for any artisan that maintains their craft. Our dishes were made by a friend in Wyoming and my wife is loading the kiln this morning with soap dishes.

[j44ke]

I was just watching this series on craftsmen involved in producing blades and hammers for woodworking. This is Tsunesaburo, a famous blade maker, demonstrating reconditioning and sharpening of older (and sometimes extremely valuable depending on the craftsman who made them originally) blades. The precision of the tools allow the precision of the woodworkers.

[ides1056]

being OC is a good thing if you want to get something done well

[ides1056]

A proper chair, a gorgeous piece of Walnut.

[j44ke]

^which reminds me...

... the Nakashima Workshop is open now I believe. https://nakashimawoodworkers.com

[Diablo de Acero]

^which reminds me...

... the Nakashima Workshop is open now I believe. https://nakashimawoodworkers.com

Thanks Jorn for link! I am so there sometime this summer!

[72gmc]

^which reminds me...

... the Nakashima Workshop is open now I believe. https://nakashimawoodworkers.com

My wife and I saw a presentation by Mira at the
Seattle Asian Art Museum. I don’t tend to find myself in PA but if I do, I’ll make an effort to see the workshop.

[TMB]

I was just watching this series on craftsmen involved in producing blades and hammers for woodworking. This is Tsunesaburo, a famous blade maker, demonstrating reconditioning and sharpening of older (and sometimes extremely valuable depending on the craftsman who made them originally) blades. The precision of the tools allow the precision of the woodworkers.

He makes what are quite possibly the best plane irons there are, period. Of course they are for Japanese planes, so if you aren’t au fait with using those ….