iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

Japanese Hewing

Started by Jay C. White Cloud, April 10, 2013, 11:05:20 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

Jay C. White Cloud

April 10, 2013, 11:05:20 AM
Some of my friends at Mid River Construction sent me some photos of a practice class they attended this past weekend on traditional hewing methods. They get together on their off time several times a month to help each other learn and master techniques.  They are a unique group that can trace their woodworking family back for 104 generations.  I have not translated yet every thing they have sent me, but this is a series of pictures showing them hewing and planning the beams.  I hope everyone enjoys them. ;D















"To posses an open mind, is to hold a key to many doors, and the ability to created doors where there were none before."

"When it is all said and done, they will have said they did it themselves."-teams response under a good leader.

jueston

#1
April 10, 2013, 12:39:51 PM
that is some beautiful work, thanks for sharing.

Leigh Family Farm

#2
April 10, 2013, 01:51:13 PM
Geez, no wonder why there are buildings still up from 1000 years ago...thats some fine dandy work!
There are no problems; only solutions we haven't found yet.

Axe Handle Hound

#3
April 10, 2013, 02:07:17 PM
That really is some good looking work.   I like the texture of the log after they complete that smoothing step.  What's the name of the tool he's using for that and how is it designed to work?  From the shape of the shavings it looks like he's drawing the blade as he pulls it along the log?

Jay C. White Cloud

#4
April 10, 2013, 03:09:53 PM
Hello Axe HH,

That tool is the original "plane," (kanna　鉋) it's origins appear to be Japanese alone, but there is some evidence that a form of it may have been used in Egypt and India, no one is certain.  It has been in Japan for several thousand years, as the plane as we know it today did not come into existence until maybe 1300 to 1600's?

In the original form, as seen in the photo, the spear plane (yariganna 槍鉋) it is indeed pulled toward the user, as are many of the Japanese tools.  In the hands of an experienced user, it can produce many different affects, including a perfectly flat, and glass sooth finish.  Most often today the more traditional "wave finish" is the goal.  If a flatter finish is required they will use a smoothing plane, (hiraganna　平鉋).

As of late, several folks have asked about "hand scraped floors,"  this is the original tool for that finish, and one of it's many uses.  In Europe, they would use a rondel blade in a smoothing plane or a "scrub" plane...they wouldn't use a paint scraper, as is often suggested as the tool to use.

Regards,

jay
"To posses an open mind, is to hold a key to many doors, and the ability to created doors where there were none before."

"When it is all said and done, they will have said they did it themselves."-teams response under a good leader.

S.Hyland

#5
April 10, 2013, 08:35:36 PM
Those are some fine looking axes! I would be worried about hewing that close to the concrete, it looks like it's only 4" off the floor! It looks like cedar of some kind? Thanks for the great pics!
"It may be that when we no longer know which way to go that we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings."
― Wendell Berry

Brian_Weekley

#6
April 10, 2013, 09:36:58 PM
More Japanese hewing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueIB0h4SzHc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I always hew in my bare feet...Not!   :o
e aho laula

Jay C. White Cloud

#7
April 10, 2013, 09:58:58 PM
Hi Brian,

The fellow doing that hewing is a friend of mine, he has several Youtube videos, his name is Kunihiro.  Kunihiro San has been doing this for a very long time, his father is also a carpenter.  You may enjoy his web page, also.

http://amemiya-daiku.jp/index.php?l=ja

Regards,

jay

I like doing it in bare feet also, I feel like I have more control and balance.
"To posses an open mind, is to hold a key to many doors, and the ability to created doors where there were none before."

"When it is all said and done, they will have said they did it themselves."-teams response under a good leader.

schakey

#8
April 11, 2013, 04:43:18 AM
Thanks Jay, I  really enjoy all your posts and am glad that you share your experiences and ideas.
Think-Dream-Plan-Do

icolquhoun

#9
April 11, 2013, 01:33:06 PM
Jay,
First time I've ever seen an "original plane" and the finish it produces is amazing!

Thanks for sharing.

mesquite buckeye

#10
April 11, 2013, 02:29:23 PM
Super cool. ;D

Thanks Jay.
Manage 80 acre tree farm in central Missouri and Mesquite timber and about a gozillion saguaros in Arizona.

Jim_Rogers

#11
April 11, 2013, 07:23:07 PM
I did see some Japanese woodworkers at a conference once using some of these tools. It was very interesting to watch.

Jim Rogers
Whatever you do, have fun doing it!
Woodmizer 1994 LT30HDG24 with 6' Bed Extension

isaacpopp

#12
April 11, 2013, 10:51:49 PM
Those pictures of the planed face of that log are absolutely beautiful!
Excellent craftsmanship right there.
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." A.L.

Jay C. White Cloud

#13
April 11, 2013, 11:24:21 PM
Hey Isaacpopp,

They are great, aren't they.  Welcome to the FF.  I see you are hailing form the "the land of the rising sun," what brought you there? 

Regards,

Jay
"To posses an open mind, is to hold a key to many doors, and the ability to created doors where there were none before."

"When it is all said and done, they will have said they did it themselves."-teams response under a good leader.

isaacpopp

#14
April 14, 2013, 09:32:41 PM
I am teaching English on the JET Programme. Though I studied Japanese in college and have been interested for a while. I did a Sister cities exchange trip and a homestay during highschool in Nagano and loved it so I decided to move here temporarily after university.
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." A.L.

tyb525

#15
April 14, 2013, 09:47:30 PM
That plane is really interesting, I've never seen that before.
LT10G10, Stihl 038 Magnum, many woodworking tools. Currently a farm service applicator, trying to find time to saw!

WmFritz

#16
April 15, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Quote from: Jay C. White Cloud on April 10, 2013, 09:58:58 PM
Hi Brian,

The fellow doing that hewing is a friend of mine, he has several Youtube videos, his name is Kunihiro.  Kunihiro San has been doing this for a very long time, his father is also a carpenter.  You may enjoy his web page, also.

http://amemiya-daiku.jp/index.php?l=ja

Regards,

jay

I like doing it in bare feet also, I feel like I have more control and balance.



Wow, that has to take a large amount of confidence swinging an axe so close to your tootsies.  :D :D.

Beautiful work in the photos from your friends website...
Thanks for sharing, Jay.
~Bill

2012 Homebuilt Bandmill
1959 Detroit built Ferguson TO35
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions

Thank You Sponsors!