LEARN THE FOUNDATIONS TO WOODWORKING WITH JAPANESE HAND TOOLS
Foundations: Woodworking with Japanese Hand Tools
Course Description:
This course is made for anyone who’s curious about woodworking with Japanese hand tools—no matter your experience or skill level. Whether you're brand new to hand tools or just looking to slow down and connect with a traditional craft, you're in the right place.
Together, we’ll ease into the basics, starting with the philosophy behind woodworking in Japan and the simple beauty of its core techniques. Along the way, we’ll explore:
How to use a Japanese pull saw with intention and care
Setting up, sharpening, and using a Japanese hand plane—plus how to read the shavings and understand what they’re telling you
Sharpening and preparing a Japanese chisel for clean, precise cuts
And finally, bringing all of it together to cut the mortise and tenon—the foundational joint of Japanese joinery
See full Chapter list below.
You’ll receive a complete list of tools and materials needed for the course, including accessible alternatives for any specialized items.
For where to buy tools, refer to buyer's guide available for purchase here.
*Note:
This course requires participants to have a piece of wood that is milled square for the joinery section. The piece I will be using is 1 1/2" x 2" x 36." However, these dimensions can be modified according to your needs.
A flat surface or a workbench is essential for the course, though instruction on building a workbench is not provided. However, a PDF with work surface options is included. Additionally, a workbench plan is available for purchase on my website here.
This is a space to slow down, work with your hands, and learn at your own pace. Let’s get started!s
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Lesson 1: Initial Setup
Theres a few things we need to do before we can start using our chisels, so we’ll go throiugh each step in this section.
Theres a few things we need to do before we can start using our chisels, so we’ll go throiugh each step in this section.
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Lesson 2: Sharpening
We’ll get our chisels nice and sharp in preparation for the joinery section later on tin this course.
We’ll get our chisels nice and sharp in preparation for the joinery section later on tin this course.
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Overview of Kanna and their anatomy.
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Lesson 2: Gather Your Supplies
A few supplies and tools are needed to setup and sharpen a new plane. We’ll go over what those are in this section.
A few supplies and tools are needed to setup and sharpen a new plane. We’ll go over what those are in this section.
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Lesson 3: Fitting the Blade
Most Japanese planes come with the blade not fully set into the body, we’ll over the entire process in this section.
Most Japanese planes come with the blade not fully set into the body, we’ll over the entire process in this section.
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Lesson 4: Sharpening
Sharpening is the foundation to using a Japanese hand plane, we’ll go through the entire process of how to get your blade razor sharp.
Sharpening is the foundation to using a Japanese hand plane, we’ll go through the entire process of how to get your blade razor sharp.
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Lesson 5: Tuning Kanna
In order for the plane to work well, there is some conditioning that needs to be done on the body of the plane. We’ll go through the entire process step by step.
In order for the plane to work well, there is some conditioning that needs to be done on the body of the plane. We’ll go through the entire process step by step.
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Finally, we take some shavings! Proper posture and problem solving.
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Lesson 1: Intro & Layout
This is the foundational joint to Japanese Joinery. Getting accurate layout is key to the success of the final joint.
This is the foundational joint to Japanese Joinery. Getting accurate layout is key to the success of the final joint.
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Lesson 2: Chopping the Mortise
We begin by using our newly sharpened chisel to chop out the mortise side of this joint.
We begin by using our newly sharpened chisel to chop out the mortise side of this joint.
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Now we wrap up this joint by sawing the tenon and paring to fit.
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Bonus Lesson: Variations
We’ll talk about a few variations for ideas on how to add some complexity for further practice.
We’ll talk about a few variations for ideas on how to add some complexity for further practice.
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A QUIET FORM OF WORK
This way of working requires a quiet mind, allowing your hands to do all the thinking.
When everything else in our lives is chaotic, it’s important to have something to enrich your soul and still your busy thoughts. This craft has been that for me. Nothing else matters other than the tenon I have to cut in front of me. I hope you can experience this too.
*Disclaimer:
Please note that this course involves the use of sharp tools common in traditional Japanese woodworking. Participants are advised to exercise caution and prioritize safety at all times while working with these tools. By participating in this course, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and agree to take all necessary precautions when handling sharp tools. The course provider is not liable for any accidents or injuries that may occur during the course. Always thoughtfully work within your comfort level.
Return Policy:
No refunds on digital products