Thanks all who attended the 2023 Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival. What a blast!
Check out photos and videos below and keep an eye on our festival main page for information about the festival!
Never Stop Building, in collaboration with Mokuchi Woodworking, invite you to share in the craft of Japanese carpentry hosted at my historic farmhouse in central Maine. The event will feature demonstrations of traditional Japanese tools, talks and workshops by leading woodworkers, and of course end with a competition to take the thinnest shaving with a Japanese hand plane. The theme for this first annual event is “Beginner's Mind;” we encourage both the new and experienced to learn and share because it is the people that make this community so special!
“When I went to my first Kezurou-Kai event at Mokuchi Woodworking in New York, I thought, ‘oh I’m home, these are my people.’”
Schedule of Events
Come for the full weekend or just a day. You can tailor your registration to fit your schedule. Our schedule is below!
Casual Meet and Greet - Friday, July 28, 2023
3:00 PM - Unwind from your travels, set up camp (if you are camping on the property), and help with the final preparations for the event. Available to all registration types.
Workshops and Presentations - Saturday, July 29, 2023
| Start Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | Welcome Meditation |
| 8:00 | Check-in Opens |
| 8:45 | Workshop #1 - Jeff Bearce: Modern Japanese Timber Framing Contemporary timber framing in Japan is a hybrid of the old and the new. In this workshop we’ll take a look at the tools and techniques used for efficient fabrication of traditional Japanese timber frames. |
| 10:00 | Morning Break, Planing Practice Benches Open |
| 10:15 | Workshop #2 - Jim Blauvelt: Kanna Tuning from First Principles A demonstration showing the practical necessity of laminated blades in Japanese woodworking tools including proper tapping out techniques, bring your blades, ask questions and get feedback. |
| 12:00 | Opening Remarks and Lunch - Pizza by Rula |
| 1:00 | Workshop #3 - Yann Giguère: Japanese Centerline Joinery Layout |
| 1:30 | Afternoon Break |
| 2:00 | Workshop #4 - Brian Holcombe: Shoji in the Modern Shop Making shoji using traditional and modern methods. |
| 5:30 | Barbeque and Bonfire! |
| 11:00 | Quiet |
Detailed descriptions for each event will be made available as we get closer to the festival.
Festival and Competition - Sunday, July 30, 2023
| Start Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 | Check-in Opens |
| 8:45 | Opening Talk - Jeff Bearce: The Status of the Artisan, East and West |
| 9:45 | Morning Break, Planing Practice Benches Open |
| 10:00 | Group Demo - Yann Giguère: Log to Timber Split, Hew, Adze, Yari ganna |
| 12:00 | Announcements and Lunch - Food Truck: Hero's on Wheels |
| 1:00 | Group Demo - Morgan Donn: Raising a Small Timberframe |
| 1:00 | Planing Practice and Qualification Begins |
| 3:00 | Hand Plan Shaving Competition Finals |
| 4:15 | Award and Closing Ceremonies |
Detailed descriptions for each event will be made available as we get closer to the festival.
Featured Presenters
Yann Giguère @mokuchistudio
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.
Brian Holcombe @bp.holcombe
Brian designs and builds original work, drawing influence from Japanese Sashimono and furniture of the Ming Dynasty. Focusing on cabinetry, casework, tables, boxes, art framing and shoji. Also a skilled machinist, Brian brings a refined precision to his work, often included his own designed and handmade hardware.
Jim Blauvelt @jimblauvelt
Jim began his career in woodworking in 1982 studying under Robert Meadow before delving into to traditional handwork under Toshihiro Sahara from 1986 to 1990. Jim also apprenticed with Makoto Imai working on Japanese timber frame structures. Also an avid blacksmith and tool maker, Jim offers a wealth of knowledge across many disciplines.
Jeff Bearce
@3sticksdesign
Jeff began practicing Japanese carpentry twenty years ago at Joinery Structures and now runs 3 Sticks Design / Build where he specializes in traditional Japanese buildings. Grounded in tradition his work exhibits a character rarely seen outside of Japan. Jeff also writes extensively about the nature of work, craft and carpentry at his blog Knowing Hands.
Vendor Table and Swap Meet
Those special and rare tools and materials particular to Japanese woodworking can be hard to source and even more difficult to examine in person. For this first annual event we’re excited to offer the following options:
Vendors
In addition to providing his expert hand plane coaching and sharpening experience, Jude Noteboom will be on hand offering select premium sharpening stones and competition grade planing beams.
Bluewater Forge, operated by presenter Jim Blauvelt, will be offering a selection of hand made tools, hammer heads, and knives, featuring his signature feather pattern damascus that truly must be seen to be believed.
Kanata Tools owner Andrew Ren, well be selling a curated selection of premium Japanese hand tools and planes from famed tool makers Yamamoto, Ouchi, Mitsukawa and more!
Swap Meet
Do you have quality, new or lightly used Japanese woodworking tools you might like to pass on to another craftsperson? We’ll provide a small area and method to swap and sell to fellow enthusiasts. Be sure to indicate your interest in selling at the swap meet.
