Japanese Woodworking

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Hello! I’m Shoyan. I have been working as a carpenter in Japan for 50 years and am a licensed architect and technician. I would like to share my work, knowledge, etc., regarding Japanese carpentry. I hope you enjoy my videos!

Documentary20206 seasons

HDCC

19 episodes

1. Cutting out a Curved BeamIn this video, I'll finish a curved beam. This kind of beam cannot be processed by pre-cut machines. So this time, I'll adjust the shape by chain saw. I have to imagine how to process it in advance, so it's a difficult job. I think this kind of natural shaped materials make a unique atmosphere.CC14minNov 14, 2020
2. Making a Timber Joint by HandIn this video, I'll make the timber joint called "okkakedaisen-tsugi" This time, I'll use the maximum size of timber for this joint. It takes a lot of efforts to make this joint. I feel fun when I drive in dowels into this joint.CC12minNov 14, 2020
3. Hand Planing Beams to Finish themIn this video, I'll finish the beams that I show in my videos before by plane. It's really hard to finish curved or long beams. But by planing, the timbers will get glossy and be waterproof, so that they will be durable.CC10minNov 15, 2020
4. Branched Log InstallationIn this video, I'll install an unique shaped column of a log. I've been working as a carpenter for 48 years, but I've never experienced this kind of material with many branches. It was really hard to draw the marking and cut out it. It will be very attractive feature.CC11minNov 20, 2020
5. Stile Cutting and InstallationIn this video, I'll install stiles. Stiles of cypress can be finished very beautifully. There will be a wood stove, so the shrinkage of materials tends to happen easily. So I did my best to prevent problems due to shrinkages.CC14minNov 27, 2020
6. Floor Installation for a HouseIn this video, I'll install 30 mm thick floor boards of Japanese cypress with knags. It was a very hot day after a long rainy season in Japan, so I was really sweaty. Flooring takes time a lot, but I like this work because of sense of accomplishment.CC13minDec 4, 2020
7. Window Hood: How to Install itIn this video, I'll install a window hood. Window hoods are to reduce the run right and rain that come to sashes directly. The roof will be finished by covered with tinplates later.CC11minDec 11, 2020
8. Building Winder Stairs*In the video, it is explained as a spiral staircase, but the correct word is winder stairs. In this video, I'd like to show you one of the biggest works for carpenters. I'll process the winder stairs of 5 steps manually. If it has only 3 steps, it's not a big deal. But to make 5 steps is hard work. I'll use red pine. I think it will be beautiful.CC17minDec 25, 2020
9. Straight Staircase InstallationThis video is a continuation of the last video. I'll make the straight staircases this time. To use natural wood materials, there are a lot of things to do, so it takes a long time. But I like this work. Wood grain of pine material for this staircase is very beautiful.CC20minJan 1, 2021
10. Indirect Lighting InstallationIn this video, I'll install a ceiling and a curtain board for indirect lightings. Indirect lightings were popular before. These days, drawing rooms seldom are made, but indirect lightings are getting popular again, This time I made simple shape of it.CC9minJan 8, 2021
11. Skip Floor: How to Finish itThis time, we will create a floor that is one step higher than the floor on the second floor, a skip floor. Normally, a skip floor is created on the landing between the 1st and 2nd floors, but this time it is different. Since the bottom and top are open spaces, we will process the handrail to prevent it from falling and create a shared space that can be used by the whole family! The finish is to pull the tatami mat down.CC21minJan 29, 2021
12. Hand Wash Counters InstallationIn this video, I’ll make counters for hand wash for restrooms of the first floor and the second floor. I made it a simple straight shape for the first floor. And for second floor, I made it a semicircle shape. The material is ash. It will be beautiful after painting!CC10minFeb 6, 2021
13. Raised Space: How to Finish itIn this video, I'll finish the space that will be finished by tatami later. This space is raised a little, and a storage will be made under the space.I tried to prevent insects to come in and improve insulation. I used Japanese cypress that is a expensive material.CC10minFeb 12, 2021
14. Door Rails: How to Install themIn this video, I installed door rails called "shikii" and "kamoi" in Japanese. It was difficult to move the columns by jack. I tried to prevent twisting of the materials. Maybe it's rare for you to see this kind of work.CC14minFeb 20, 2021
15. Tokonoma: How to Finish itIn this video, I finished "tokonoma" that is a Japanese specific space for the ornament. I used the top grade of zelkova. Although it's a small space, it's hard to finish it due to many things to do, and it took a full day.CC15minFeb 26, 2021
16. Wooden Deck: How to Install itThis time I will make a wood deck! We will make all the parts from hinoki cypress. The shape is simple and the easiest to use. I used nails to stop the deck material. The number of occasions when I use nails is decreasing, but I still use the round-headed nails I show!CC16minMar 12, 2021
17. Loft Ladder: How to Make itThis time, I will make a Loft ladder from scratch.I have been a carpenter for 48years, but I have never made a ladder.But looking at other carpenters and things for reference, I made it while struggling.But I think the result is better than I expected! It's a little heavy, but it's a luxurious ladder of Japanese cypress!CC15minMar 21, 2021
18. Woodshed: How to Build itThis time I made a woodshed, but it took a whole four days. It rained and there were some troubles, so I swamped a little, but I managed to finish it! Since it is a conventional construction method that does not use any metal parts, I think it is resistant to rust. I hope it can stock one winter's worth of firewood!CC23minMar 27, 2021
19. 6 Months of Carpentry to Build a House by a Japanese CraftsmanFinally, the house which I have been doing carpentry is now completed! I started to build this house when it was June, and this hot summer was really tough. Meanwhile, I was able to upload a lot of carpentry videos on YouTube I am really grateful to the owner who allowed me to shoot. This time, I made a video of the whole picture until the house was built!CC18minApr 16, 2021

Japanese Woodworking

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20206 seasons97 episodesReturning Series

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