Zen and Woodworking: Final Preparations
Craft

Zen and Woodworking: Final Preparations

A flurry of milling, layout, and tool preparation before the class
Brian Lam

An experiment about craft, nice things, and fixing up old homes

Zen and Japanese Carpentry - Begins
Woodworking

Zen and Japanese Carpentry - Begins

Teachers, priests, monks, and students gathered at the temple on a Sunday afternoon, in the back of a valley.
Brian Lam
Zen and Woodworking: Final Preparations
Craft

Zen and Woodworking: Final Preparations

A flurry of milling, layout, and tool preparation before the class
Brian Lam
Somakosha in the New York Times
zen

Somakosha in the New York Times

I had the opportunity to interview Jon Stollenmeyer of Somakosha about his path becoming a carpenter in Japan for the New York Times about his start at Nakamura Sotoji Komuten and most recently at Somakosha with Kohei Yamamoto. The interview was about 4 hours formally, and about 7 days, informally
Brian Lam
A Dozen Sawhorses
Woodworking

A Dozen Sawhorses

The wood for the frame had showed up. But before I could get to milling it up, I needed to build some sawhorses.
Brian Lam
Japanese Woodworking and Carpentry Classes (This year)
Woodworking

Japanese Woodworking and Carpentry Classes (This year)

Most 2025 class schedules for my favorite woodworking teachers are online.
Brian Lam
Quarter-Ton Dog Step
Woodworking

Quarter-Ton Dog Step

Gathering materials, off island and on; A dog step bench meant to support a quarter ton.
Brian Lam
A Table for Liljestrand House
liljestrand

A Table for Liljestrand House

Replicating a historic table made from framing lumber and nails (but with joinery)
Brian Lam
Visiting Nakashima Woodworkers
nakashima

Visiting Nakashima Woodworkers

Experiencing a design process with Nakashima Woodworkers
Brian Lam
A few frames from Kezuroukai Japan 2024
kez

A few frames from Kezuroukai Japan 2024

Some images and habits of Kezuroukai Japan 2024 competitors
Brian Lam
Studying at Mount Fuji Wood Culture Society
Mt Fuji

Studying at Mount Fuji Wood Culture Society

Studying japanese hand tools through the lens of furniture and sashimono, with Tak Yoshino
Brian Lam
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