Woodworking in Japan
Wooden crafts made from materials such as cedar, cypress, and cherry have long been an integral part of Japanese life, thanks to the country's rich forest resources. In fact, approximately 70% of Japan’s land area is covered by forests.
Woodworking has been deeply connected to Japanese daily life from ancient times to the present. Not only is it cherished within Japan, but Japanese wooden crafts and wooden architecture are also highly regarded worldwide. In this article, we will explore the various ways in which woodworking is used and introduce some of Japan’s finest traditional crafts.
Woodworking in Everyday Life
Wood has been used in Japan since prehistoric times, dating back even before the Jomon period (c. 10,000 BCE – 300 BCE). It has played a crucial role in architecture and everyday items. Even today, wooden products continue to be treasured.
Following the Japanese concept of "衣食住 (IShokuJu)" (clothing, food, and shelter)—which refers to the essentials of daily life—this article will introduce different wooden crafts that enhance our everyday living.
Woodworking in Clothing
Wooden storage furniture, such as tansu (Japanese chests of drawers) and shoe cupboards, has long been used to store and preserve clothing in Japan. In particular, tansu are crafted using a traditional technique called "sashimono", which involves precisely joining wooden boards and metal rods without the use of nails.
This highly skilled craftsmanship not only enhances the natural beauty of the wood grain but also provides practical benefits, such as protecting clothes from moisture and mould while maintaining their pristine condition.
As Japan transitioned from the kimono culture of the Edo period (1603–1868) to the adoption of Western clothing in the Meiji era (1868–1912), wooden hangers also became popular. Initially, flat hangers were the norm, but as Western-style garments required better support, more contoured and structured hangers were developed to maintain their shape.
Woodworking in Food
Wooden craftsmanship is also deeply embedded in Japanese dining culture. Items such as bowls, trays, and chopsticks, as well as cooking utensils like rice paddles, spatulas, wooden moulds, and seiro (bamboo steamers with wooden frames), have long been essential in Japanese kitchens.
The natural fragrance and warmth of wood add a timeless charm to dining experiences, making wooden tableware and cooking tools beloved across generations.
One of Japan’s traditional steamers is the seiro, made from wood or bamboo. Before the Edo period (1603–1868), a different type of wooden steamer called koshiki—shaped like a tub or a bentwood container—was commonly used. However, during the Edo period, the seiro evolved and became the preferred steaming tool.
Seiro are designed to be placed over a pot or stove, allowing steam to gently cook food. This slow and even heat distribution helps retain the natural flavours and moisture of ingredients, making it a beloved cooking method.
In recent years, a resurgence of interest in seiro steaming has been sparked by social media in Japan. This cooking method has regained popularity for its simplicity and versatility, enabling people to prepare a variety of foods—such as vegetables, fish, meat, and rice—all at once.
Woodworking in Living
Wooden architecture has remained a beloved building method in Japan from ancient times to the present day, valued for its warmth, gentle texture, and subtle natural fragrance. While its moisture-regulating properties, flexibility, and ease of processing were key reasons for its early adoption, the enduring nature of wooden structures is remarkable. Many temples and shrines in Japan have stood for over 1,000 years, maintained through careful restoration while preserving their original form.In addition to architecture, wooden furniture is widely used in Japanese homes. From doors and tables to kotatsu (heated tables) and shelves, wood is a common material due to its versatility, ease of shaping, and aesthetic variety. Most households in Japan likely have at least one wooden furniture piece, as its natural charm and durability make it an ideal choice for home interiors.
Characteristics of Different Types of Wood
Sugi (Japanese Cedar)
Sugi is a type of wood found throughout Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Known for its ability to grow tall and straight, it produces timber with a beautiful, linear grain, making it ideal for flooring and structural elements.
Additionally, its high breathability and water resistance have made it a preferred material for sake barrels and even traditional boatbuilding.
Due to the air pockets inside, sugi wood is lightweight compared to other types of wood, and it is known to change colour over time as it interacts with the air, allowing people to enjoy its aging process.
Hinoki (Japanese Cypress)
Hinoki is a wood known for its luxurious and delicate grain. Its colour is light, and it is particularly prized for its pleasant fragrance. The high quality of its scent is a key feature, as it contributes to a relaxing atmosphere. This aromatic quality, alongside its insect-repellent properties, makes it highly durable and preservative, and it is used in the construction of Japan’s oldest wooden building, Horyu-ji. The soothing scent of Hinoki has also been utilized in Hinoki baths and Hinoki sake vessels, making it a wood with a wide range of applications.
Kiri (Paulownia)
The Kiri (Paulownia) tree is primarily found in the southern part of Hokkaido and Honshu. Its name is thought to have originated from the word “kiri,” which is associated with the act of cutting, as the tree can quickly regrow its branches after being cut down. The wood itself is bright white, making it one of the lighter-coloured woods.
Kiri trees grown in cold climates tend to have higher density, resulting in higher-quality wood, and it is regarded as one of the luxury hardwoods. Kiri wood is often used for traditional Japanese furniture like Tansu chests and for making koto instruments.
The interior of Kiri wood contains numerous honeycomb-like cavities, giving it excellent moisture-absorbing properties. It can release moisture when dry, helping to maintain a stable level of humidity, and its ability to regulate moisture makes it highly valued for humidity control. Additionally, Kiri wood has fire-resistant properties, making it both practical and durable for various uses.
Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
Sakura, a tree native to Japan and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere, blooms between March and May, with the cherry blossom front (sakura zensen) gradually moving northward across Japan. This period is a peak season for hanami (flower viewing), and during this time, many domestic and international tourists visit Japan to witness the stunning sight of the pale pink cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Sakura wood is often used in the creation of furniture, artworks, and musical instruments, though the number of species that can be used as viable materials is limited, making it a precious resource. One of its distinctive features is its elegant fragrance, which is uniquely characteristic of cherry wood. Despite its hardness, Sakura wood is easy to work with, and it is highly prized for its durability and the density of its grain. Due to its solid texture and high density, Sakura wood is also used in flooring, where it provides long-lasting durability, making it both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Woodworking in Traditional Crafts
Yosegi Zaiku (寄木細工)
Yosegi Zaiku is a type of woodworking that combines various colors and textures of wood to create patterns on a base called "tane-ita" (種板), which is a wooden board made from different types of wood. The main features of this craft are the two techniques: "Zuku-bari" (ヅク貼り), where thin sheets of the tane-ita are peeled and used as decorative veneer, and "Muku-zukuri" (ムクづくり), where the tane-ita is carved out with a lathe for a more solid, three-dimensional effect.
The traditional patterns created in Yosegi Zaiku include geometric motifs like "shippō" (七宝, Seven Treasures) and "ichimatsu" (市松, checkerboard), among others. There are over 60 different traditional patterns, and by changing the colors and arrangement of the wood, the variety of designs becomes even more extensive.
This craft originated in the late Edo period (after 1868) in Hakone, a region known for its rich variety of trees. Local artisans began making boxes and trays by combining woods with different colors and grain patterns. These innovative designs and techniques took advantage of the natural features of the Hakone mountains, where a wide range of trees are found.
Another unique creation in Yosegi Zaiku is the "Himitsu-bako" (秘密箱), or secret box. This is a type of puzzle box, where the box can only be opened by following a specific sequence or unlocking a mechanism. While the exact origin of these secret boxes is unclear, it is believed that they existed as early as the late 1700s and were originally used to store valuable items such as jewels.
Bendable Wappa
Osaka Ranma
In traditional Japanese houses, a decorative element known as "ranma" (欄間) is installed between the ceiling and the kamoi (鴨居, a horizontal beam) of adjacent rooms.
This feature is particularly popular in areas around Osaka City, Kishiwada, and Suita in Osaka Prefecture.
Osaka Ranma is known for its exquisite carvings, such as lattice work or openwork carvings, and especially the "carved ranma" (彫刻欄間), where patterns and designs are intricately sculpted, giving them a three-dimensional effect.
These carvings make full use of the natural wood grain, adding depth and beauty through painstaking craftsmanship, and are considered synonymous with Osaka Ranma.
Kamoi (鴨居)
The kamoi is the upper frame of sliding doors, such as fusuma (Japanese sliding doors) or shoji (paper sliding doors), and it serves as the structural element that supports them. In the case of ranma, the kamoi and ranma work together to enhance the functionality and beauty of the interior space.
Summary
This article explores how woodworking is integral to our daily lives and its connection to Japanese culture, focusing on traditional woodworking and crafts.