Foundation Course

Essential Skills for Japanese Carpentry Tools, Sharpening and Joinery

Class details:

Course Outline:

  • Lectures on traditional Japanese carpentry:

    1. Timber framing history in Japan and Ishibatate design principles

    2. Day trip to a selected carpentry-related site or event (Locations vary by course, weather, and season)

  • Blade sharpening methods using water stones

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

  • Hand tool practice through the cutting of essential joinery (using saws and chisels)

  • Individual Project: Joinery Tree - This is a sculptural form that contains all of the most common joints needed to construct an Ishibatate home.

Class Schedule:

  • Class size: 8 students

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

  • 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:

  • Accommodation, Breakfast & Lunch is provided.

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

    5. Sharpening Stones

    6. Dozuki Crosscut Saw

    7. Ink Line Marking Gauge (Kebiki)

School Fees:

  • ¥680,000 (Includes accommodation, breakfast and lunch. Does not include required tools.)

  • Spots are only confirmed upon full payment and on a first come first serve basis.

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

  • Cancellation Policy:

    1. More than 90 days before start date:

      1. Cancel: 100% refund.

      2. Changing of course/course date allowed.

    2. Less than 90 days before start date:

      1. Cancel: 50% refund.

      2. No changing of course/course date.

    3. Less than 45 days before start date:

      1. No refund.

      2. No changing of course/course date.

    4. Any transfer fees for refunds will be deducted from the total refund amount.

    5. Refunds will be issued in Yen.

    6. Travel insurance is mandatory

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The Foundation Course is the core of our entire program and every class after it is built upon the principles, methods, and habits established here.

Open to all experience levels, the course introduces skills essential for traditional Japanese carpentry: tool preparation, sharpening, center-line layout, and precision hand tool control. For beginners, it establishes strong fundamentals from the start. For experienced woodworkers, it offers a distinct approach to accuracy, workflow, and joinery rooted in Japanese tradition.

Because these methods form the basis of all later courses, students who complete Foundation consistently move forward with greater confidence, speed, and precision. For this reason, unless you already have some experience with Japanese carpentry and know how to set up and maintain Japanese hand tools, we highly recommend this be your first step.

Prerequisite: None

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