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Japanese Woodworking Tools: Their Tradition, Spirit, And Use (A Fine Woodworking Book)

This text shows how to use Japanese tools effectively and maintain them properly, and explains the role they play in traditional Japanese craftsmanship. It describes how to create razor-sharp cutting edges and introduces almost 50 different planes.--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Series: A Fine woodworking book

Hardcover: 189 pages

Publisher: The Taunton Press, Inc.; 1st edition (April 1, 1984)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0918804191

ISBN-13: 978-0918804198

Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.7 x 12.3 inches

Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #1,038,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #51 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Woodworking > Tools #1568 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Woodworking > Projects #4679 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems

I have never seen some of the variations of tools detailed in this VERY thorough catalog of tools. I have a couple of books on the subject, and this is the most detaied by far.Illustrated with well-executed line drawings and photographs, Anyone without personal experience will be able to "pick up" the methods of traditional (non-power tool) woodworking from Japan. Those with experience will see the insight of some of the tool's design for their applications.Odate explains how to use the tools as well- Not a "How To" book, but enough to begin to practice their use.What I wnjoyed most was Odate's personal anecdotes of his apprenticeship- a lifestyle lost in the U.S. This is where "...their Spirit..." comes in.Inspiring!

This book starts with the workshop description and layout. Toshio Odate uses his own unique experiences as a craftsman to show how to use and care for the tools. There are chapters on saws, chisels, marking tools, and handplanes. Japanese tools are much different than western style tools in their appearance, use, and care. All of these are covered in this excellent book.

As a woodworker who is increasingly getting away from power tools and back to hand work, reading about how Japanese woodworkers do it was fascinating. I have only one Japanese tool sofar, a small dozuki saw, but it's cut is so fine and so easy to control that I intend to aquire more Japanese tools. This book has inspired me; equally importantly, it shows the way to their use, and in some cases, how to make your own. I heartily recommend this fine book to anyone interested in learning more about Japanese woodworking, or in becoming a better woodworker with hand tools in general. In addition to being well written, Toshio Odate gives a fascinating account of his apprenticship to his stepfather within its cultural context.

If you are looking for information on the sometimes mystifying topic of Japanese carpentry tools, this book written in the 80's could be really useful.Odate does a great job of categorizing the different kinds of tools ,including the more exotic items like keshiki (gauges) and sumitisubo (ink line) with really extensive drawings, and tips for do-it-yourself maintenance, like chisel and saw re- handling.His insights into the Japanese craftsman's attitude toward workmanship and their traditional tools is unique. Still, the photos are muddy and small, and some of the explanations are just puzzling. He doesn't cover any of the amazing joinery that can be done (and has) with these refined,and yet basic tools. The book could really use an update to fix these problems, but since there aren't a lot of books around on this topic, its' still the best thing going ,in English.

This is an excellent introduction to Japanese tools. I really love this book. This is really about Shokunin, craftsmen or artisan in the literal sense. More correctly, a Shokunin means not only having technical skill but implies an attitude and social consciousness. The qualities are encompassed in the word but are seldom written."The Shokunin demonstrates knowledge of tools and skill with them, the ability to create beauty and the capacity to work with incredible speed. The value of an object is dependent on a subtle combination of skill and speed; this is what the apprentices master and collegues teach, and this is what the Shokunin believes. One without the other is not Shokunin.""The Shokunin has a social obligation to work his best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, if society requires it, the Shokunin's responsibility is to fulfill the requirement."Prior to moving to the US, the author was a Shokunin and was raised in a family who passed the art to him. The passionate description of their relationship with their tools, and the proper care is really inspiring.So this is more than just a book about the different tools and their use and care. Odate's passion and reverence for this art is felt on every page. If you are interested in Japanese architecture or are a craftsman, I highly recommend it.

Great book to have for a woodworker! I really recomend it for a woodworker interested in japanese style, as a gift or as a treat for yourself. it tells you everything you wanted to know (and much more) about everything japanese woodworking

Purchased this for my son to use with my tools. The book has clear detailed instructions and helpful photos to assist with suggested projects. It is well written with easy explanations to assist the novice wood wooker. You will need special tools for the work so look into what you need as so you are not disappointed that you can not start with a project.

Excellent book. This book does not contain indepth techniques but is a good overview of Japanese carpentry tools and how to use them. If you are interested in Japanese Carpentry I would recommend this book.

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