Before large bandsaw mills and large power planers the shaping of large timbers was done with the ax and the adze. Some of the most beautiful elements of Japanese timber frame construction are the interweaving naturally curved, hewn beams that support the roof structure. Learning this centuries old process will bring you closer to the material and open up new opportunities to shape logs to fit your designs.
The large structure we are building for our 2024 Timber Framing Workshop will include many hand hewn natural logs from recently soaring, local, Eastern White Pines. We are delighted to host two masters of hewing: Yann Giguere of Mokuchi Woodworking and Kohei Yamamoto of Somakosha to teach you this wonderful skill. In this workshop you’ll learn the setup and sharpening of the hewing tools, instruction and practice hewing, and learn about natural log layout processes to integrate a hewn timber into a building.
Guest Instructors: Yann Giguere and Kohei Yamamoto
Yann Giguère
Yann founded Mokuchi Studio in 2008 and previously ran the NY KEZ event until recently relocating to Oregon. He honed his Japanese woodworking skills while apprenticing under Dale Brotherton at the Takumi Company. His work exhibits fine joinery, clean finishing and a clear reverence for the natural material. Yann passionately shares his passion with students through his workshops and classes.
Kohei Yamamoto
Kohei began his career in the furniture arts but eventually took a job as a Japanese Temple and Shrine carpenter, working on famous temples and shrines in Japan including the cultural heritage site: the Grand Shrine at Izumo. He now runs the woodworking firm Somakosha, specializing in traditional buildings that have served Japan for centuries.
Topics Covered
Understanding the material and the process and intent of hewing.
Setting up and sharpening of the hewing ax (masakari) and adze (chouna)
Body position, technique and lots of practice hewing logs.
Center line layout techniques for natural and hewed logs in the context of a timber frame.
Included with Tuition
Meals Included - This three day workshop includes catered Lunch and Dinner on the first day, and Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on the second day and third day.
Prerequisites
While no prior experience is required, we highly recommend previous sharpening/japanese tool experience or first taking the Introduction to Sharpening Workshop to get the most out of this experience. See our Prerequisites information for qualifying prior training.
Required Tools
Due to the rarity of the traditional Japanese hewing tools, there are no required tools to participate in this workshop and we will have a few loaners available. Premium Japanese tools may be available for purchase at checkout, and at a minimum, we encourage you to consider purchasing the smaller carpenters axe so you’ll be able to learn the sharpening techniques and participate fully in the hewing exercises. Suggested tools if you have them:
240mm Bakin or Kisuo Masakari (Hewing Ax)
90-100mm Azuma Flat Chouna (Hewing Adze)
Optional Tools
Japanese Carpenters ax (140mm Cutting Edge)
A Japanese hewing ax (masakari)
A Japanese adze (chouna) - normal style 90-100mm cutting edge
400 Grit water stone
1000 Grit water stone
300-500 Sashigane / Square
String line
Ink Line
Pens/pencils
Register Below
Begin your registration process below. You’ll have the option to purchased curated tools during checkout.
Please note that certain tools offered for sale during registration are made to order and have long lead times, contact us before ordering if less than 3 months until the workshop.
Attendance limited to 10 students.
Please kindly review our class and workshop policies at the link below:
For events lasting more than day we offer rustic camping on the property:
For recommended tools for this class and your woodworking career: