Foundation Course

14 Days | Okayama, Japan

14 Days Course Outline:

  • Introduction to traditional Japanese carpentry:

    1. Timber framing history in Japan and Ishibatate design principles

    2. Day trip to Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum in Kobe, Japan

  • Introduction to basic woodworking tools:

    1. Ryoba Saw 240mm

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

    3. 150 momme Hammer (Genno)

    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

  • Tuning and setting up chisels, hammer and hand planes

  • Blade sharpening methods using water stones

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

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

  • Finishing wood surfaces through the use of a finely-tuned hand plane (Kanna)

  • Individual Project: Joinery Tree

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 separate handle (Genno) (you will make your own handle in class)

    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: 100% 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

Register