Interviews – Japan Woodcraft Association

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020

Japan Woodcraft Journeys – Wooden Boat Building | Douglas Brooks

Douglas Brooks is a boatbuilder, writer and researcher on a mission to preserve the wonderful yet dying tradition of Japanese wooden boatbuilding.

Over the course of last 3 decades, Douglas sought out and gained the trust of Japan’s last generation of elderly master boat builders, becoming their sole apprentice and confidant, building 8 types of traditional boats under their tutelage and watchful eye.

His insight and subsequent documenting of the traditions and techniques is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the wider world to learn about this ancient craft.

We’re delighted to bring you Douglas’s remarkable story with this revealing interview. We also urge you to read more about an often overlooked woodworking tradition through Douglas’s fantastic book, available to buy direct from him here.

March 30, 2020April 6, 2020

Japan Woodcraft Journeys – Kumiko | Des King

Continuing our series profiling makers who’ve immersed themselves in Japanese woodcraft traditions, we interview Des King. A shoji and kumiko art woodworker based in Australia, Des began his lifelong passion studying at Shokugei Gakuin – the International College of Craft & Arts in Toyama.

January 27, 2020January 27, 2020

MAKERS ABROAD | Hiroshi Sakaguchi

Born in Japan, Making in the USA

Introducing the first in a series of features on makers who’ve emigrated from Japan and set up a new life abroad with traditional Japanese woodwork values at their heart.

In 1985, Hiroshi Sakaguchi and his wife, Ann, established ‘Ki Arts’, a traditional Japanese woodworking business in Sonoma County, Northern California. From the challenges of adapting to Western preferences and ways of doing business to sourcing hardwoods similar to those in Japan, Sakaguchi-san has successfully overcome obstacles to fulfil his California dream.

January 22, 2020January 27, 2020

Japan Woodcraft Journeys | Hugh Miller

Kicking off the first in our series of ‘Japan Woodcraft Journeys‘, we profile professional makers who’ve travelled to Japan to study and learn from master crafts men and women.

First up is UK-based designer and maker – Hugh Miller, author of ‘Japanese Wood Craftsmanship’.

January 7, 2020January 23, 2020

MAKER INTERVIEW | Makoto Fukada

Makoto Fukada | Seyseysha Design And Build

On our research trip to Japan last year, we were honoured to meet Makoto Fukada – founder and Master Carpenter at Seyseysha.

Specialising in traditional Japanese style houses, he takes projects from design right through to build stage, his mastery of carpentry honed over 30 years. We sat down with Makoto over sweet red bean soup and ice cream in one of Tokyo’s famous tea houses.