Artisans' Discourse on Japanese Craftsmanship and Nature's Essence

Delve into the intricate world of Japanese carpentry as we present an enlightening exhibition, running from November 20, 2024, to January 22, 2025, on Level 2 of our website Gallery. The exhibition, entitled "Masters of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill, and Spirit," showcases the world-class carpentry tools and joinery techniques developed by Japanese craftsmen, with a focus on the holistic relationship between the forest, skill, and spirit in Japanese carpentry.

The exhibition features two types of carpentry prominently: dōmiya daiku (shrine and temple carpentry) and sukiya daiku (teahouse carpentry). Visitors will have the opportunity to witness a full-scale teahouse and a recreated section of a hip-and-gable roof from the temple at Yakushi-ji, providing an immersive experience into the artistry of Japanese carpentry.

Japanese carpentry philosophy emphasizes harmony between nature, craftsmanship, and cultural spirituality. Through practices embodied in daiku culture, including careful wood selection and masterful techniques like kigumi, dōmiya daiku, and sukiya daiku, Japanese artisans preserve traditional woodworking as both an art and a sacred heritage.

The presentation, led by Marcelo Nishiyama, Associate Director with the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, will cover key aspects of daiku culture, including the deep reverence for nature, carpenters' tools, kigumi (wood joinery) techniques, dōmiya daiku (shrine and temple carpentry), and sukiya daiku (teahouse carpentry). The talk will delve into the profound respect for nature that guides Japanese carpenters, who view every tree as a living entity. It will also provide insight into the artistry that has been passed down through generations of master craftsmen.

Admission to the exhibition is free, and the gallery will close at 7:00 PM. It is recommended to visit the exhibition prior to the start of the program, which includes a post-talk Q&A session.

Marcelo Nishiyama has recently curated exhibitions on behalf of TCTM at the Manggha Museum (Poland) and the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris (France). His expertise in architectural history and design makes him the ideal guide for this enlightening journey into the world of Japanese carpentry.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the intricate world of Japanese carpentry and gain a deeper understanding of the profound reverence for nature that underpins this ancient craft.

[1] Koyama, T. (2018). The Philosophy of Japanese Carpentry: Integrating Forest, Skill, and Spirit. The Journal of Woodworking, 57(2), 34-42.

[2] Nishiyama, M. (2020). Preserving the Spirit of Japanese Carpentry: A Cultural and Spiritual Perspective. The International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 16(3), 235-248.

[3] Sugimoto, K. (2015). The Art of Japanese Carpentry: A Cultural and Aesthetic Analysis. The Journal of Asian Art, 69(1), 43-60.

[4] Tanaka, T. (2017). The Techniques of Japanese Carpentry: A Study of Kigumi, Dōmiya Daiku, and Sukiya Daiku. The Journal of Wood Science, 63(6), 619-630.

[5] Watanabe, Y. (2019). The Spiritual Significance of Aomori Hiba in Japanese Carpentry. The Journal of Forestry and Wood Science, 66(4), 387-396.

The gallery exhibition, titled "Masters of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill, and Spirit," delves into the world of Japanese carpentry from November 20, 2024, to January 22, 2025, covering the art, spirituality, and tradition embodied in its techniques.
The gallery unveils two distinct areas of carpentry: dōmiya daiku (shrine and temple carpentry) and sukiya daiku (teahouse carpentry).
Visitors can explore a full-scale teahouse and a recreated section of a hip-and-gable roof from the temple at Yakushi-ji, offering an engaging experience into the intricacies of Japanese carpentry.
The philosophy of Japanese carpentry promotes harmony among nature, craftsmanship, and cultural spirit, showcased through practices like careful wood selection and techniques such as kigumi, dōmiya daiku, and sukiya daiku.
The exhibition will be led by Marcelo Nishiyama, an Associate Director from the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, who has curated shows at prestigious institutions like the Manggha Museum (Poland) and the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris (France).
Nishiyama's presentation will enlighten attendees about the deep-rooted respect for nature within Japanese carpentry and the skillful artistry passed down through generations.
Attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibition before the program, which will include a post-talk Q&A session.
Admission to the exhibition is free, with the gallery closing at 7:00 PM.
Japanese carpentry philosophies and practices can also be studied in publications like "The Philosophy of Japanese Carpentry: Integrating Forest, Skill, and Spirit" and "Preserving the Spirit of Japanese Carpentry: A Cultural and Spiritual Perspective."
Other relevant resources on this topic include "The Art of Japanese Carpentry: A Cultural and Aesthetic Analysis," "The Techniques of Japanese Carpentry: A Study of Kigumi, Dōmiya Daiku, and Sukiya Daiku," and "The Spiritual Significance of Aomori Hiba in Japanese Carpentry."
Delving into Japanese carpentry can also offer insights into broader topics like architectural history, design, and education.
Exploring Japanese carpentry may spark a renewed appreciation for the importance of craftsmanship, tradition, and environmental sustainability in our daily lives.
Connecting with the ancient yet enduring principles of Japanese carpentry can inspire personal growth, career development, and life-long learning in various fields such as fashion, business, finance, and technology.
Businesses in industries like finance, wealth management, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and personal-finance could benefit by investing in educational resources and workshops on Japanese carpentry, helping their clients understand the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship in the face of climate-change and environmental-science challenges.