About Woodwork
日本は気候や風士にめぐまれて、いろいろな種類の木が各地で生育しています。それらの木々を使って【指物】【刳物】【挽物】【曲物】などの技法が発展してきました。
| What is Woodwork? |
Japan, blessed with diverse climates and topographies, has various types of trees growing in different regions. Using these trees, excellent wooden utensils and boxes have been crafted since ancient times. Woodwork is about utilizing the beauty of wood grain to create items that serve people's daily lives. Therefore, selecting the right wood for crafting is crucial.
| Making Process of Woodwork |
①Select the wood
②Assemble boards / hollow a chunk/ use a lathe / bend boards
③Complete the process
| Types of Wood Used |
In woodwork "meiboku" may be utilized, which are large trees that have grown for centuries, or woods with exceptionally rare grain patterns. It may also involve using "jindaiboku" which have been buried in the earth for a long time, or rare woods imported from foreign countries. Wood must be thoroughly dried to prevent cracking or warping before use.
| Tools Used in the Process |
Tools such as saws for cutting wood, planes for smoothing surfaces, carving chisels and knives for sculpting patterns, and gouges for carving holes are used in woodwork.
| Techniques |
Woodwork is classified based on differences in wood processing methods.
Sashimono (wood joinery)
Wood is shaved or carved to create convex and concave members called "tsugi-te", which are then assembled at right angles to create items like boxes. Sashimono is characterized by assembling without using metal nails.
Kurimono (hollow work)
Wood chunks are carved out using carving knives or chisels to create shapes. This method allows for creating complex curves and rounded shapes freely.
Hikimono (wood turning)
Shapes are created by applying blades to wood rotated on a lathe. This method is suitable for creating artworks such as circular trays, bowls, and cups.
Magemono (bentwood work)
There are methods of bending thin boards after softening them with steam and shaping them into cylinders, and another method involves cutting thin slices with a saw, leaving thin wood, and bending them to create polygons.
＜Source: "What is Traditional Kōgei?" Edited by Japan Kōgei Association East Japan Branch / Published by Unsodo, P46,47>
