Hisao Zen - DIY Japanese Joinery

Hi, I'm Hisa, the founder of DIY Japanese Joinery.

Learning "Japanese joinery," a traditional Japanese woodworking method, is challenging, especially for those outside Japan. Even in Japan, it's a difficult skill to acquire. The opportunity to apprentice under a mentor in traditional architecture for years and then refine your skills on the job is nearly impossible for you.

Craftsmen often adhere to the adage "watch and learn" and tend not to explain techniques verbally. Questions may go unanswered, not out of spite, but because these artisans have internalised their skills. Their understanding of pressure, speed, and precision in planing wood is embodied knowledge, not easily articulated.

I aim to bridge this gap. Unlike these reticent craftsmen, I will guide you by articulating and quantifying the skills they've instinctively mastered, enabling you to achieve the finesse of a skilled craftsman.