Advanced I Course

14 Days | Okayama, Japan

14 Days Course Outline:

  • Design and layout of round structural timbers in traditional Japanese carpentry

  • Lectures on roof design, history and layout

  • Learn how to acquire, select and orient material

  • Learn how to choose the right joinery when designing a timber frame

  • Laying out using traditional center-line methods with ink and sashigane

  • Scribing round and irregular material to achieve a tight fit

  • More hand tool practice through the cutting of joinery (using saws, chisels and hand planes)

  • More practice on finishing wood surfaces through the use of a finely-tuned hand plane (Kanna)

  • 1/3 scale model of roof structure

  • Architectural trip through Bikan Chiku Historical District and a shrine we worked on

  • Completion of intermediate course is highly recommended

Class Schedule:

  • Class size: 8 students

  • Lessons: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, Sundays off

  • Lessons: 11 workshop days, 1 excursion day

  • Our workshop space can be used daily for self-practice from 9am till late

  • Teachers available until 5pm

  • Course will be conducted in English

Additional Info:

  • 2026: Accommodation, Breakfast & Lunch is provided.

  • 2025: Accommodation not provided. Lunch is provided.

  • 2025: We can recommend hotels that are near Okayama Station.

  • 2025: Transportation will be provided daily between the workshop and Okayama Station.

  • You will need to prepare the following tools to attend the class. We can help you purchase on your behalf if you do not have them:

    1. Ryoba Saw 240mm

    2. Bench Chisels 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 15mm (Oire Nomi)

    3. 150 momme Hammer with handle

    4. Plane 54mm (Kanna)

    5. Square 15cm x 30cm, 25cm x 50cm (metric) (Sashigane)

    6. Sharpening Stones

    7. Dozuki Crosscut Saw

    8. Straight edge & sandpaper

    9. Ink Line Marking Gauge (Kebiki)

    10. Dai Naoshi Kanna

School Fees:

  • 2026: ¥580,000 (Includes accommodation, breakfast and lunch. Does not include required tools.)

  • 2025: ¥470,000 (Includes lunch. Does not include accommodation and required tools.)

  • Upon confirmation, we will send you an email with more information so that you can plan your trip.

  • In the event of unavailability, we will offer to add you to our waiting list.

  • Cancellation Policy:

    1. More than 60 days before start date:

      1. Cancel: 50% refund

      2. Changing of course/course date allowed

    2. Less than 60 days before start date:

      1. Cancel: 50% refund

      2. No changing of course/course date

    3. Less than 30 days before start date:

      1. No refund

      2. No changing of course/course date