Japanese Woodworking is a broad term that covers a variety of disciplines in woodworking as practiced in Japan where a rich craft culture traces its roots to ancient times. It is marked by a focus on interlocking joinery, the extensive, though not exclusive use of softwoods, and often a hand planed wood finish. A meticulous attention to detail and exquisitely sharp hand tools are fundamental to japanese woodworking.

Not at all. We welcome all levels of skill and all forms of interest. The best way to get into the craft is to meet enthusiastic, like minded people. Come try out some tools!

KEZ, short for Kezurou Kai literally means “shaving gathering” in Japanese. Early on, local carpentry companies would have informal get togethers to talk shop, share techniques, and eventually this turned to competing to see who could take the thinnest hand shaving with their plane.

Long before wood was typically finished with sand paper, it was common to dress the wood by taking super thin shavings, imparting an attractive sheen to the material. In the Japanese woodworking tradition this is achieved with the deceptively simple Kanna - A razor sharp forged blade and a wooden block that holds it. With much practice and dedication, pulling the plane across a board ejects a nearly transparent shaving, thinner than a human hair.

While a western style plane, often made entirely of metal and machined parts, is pushed over the work, a Japanese plane is pulled which allows for greater control over the cut. A Japanese plane blade is made of ultra hard steel laminated with soft iron. This means the blade can be sharpened to an extremely fine edge, but maintain resiliency during the cut.

On Sunday there will be practice and qualification where judges will measure the thickness of participants shavings. A “competition” board is prepared to be extremely flat and consistent. After qualification, those who can pull thin, consistent, full width shavings face off for bragging rights and perhaps some prizes. The contestant can take several shavings and stop when satisfied, the last shaving will be measured in multiple locations and judged for quality. The best shaving wins!

There is a good chance there will be extra planes around the practice area that one of the attendees will be happy to lend you and help you start taking shavings.

Assuming the tools have arrived in time you may pick up items purchased for festival pick up no earlier than 48 hours before the festival.

You can get a great experience out of the festival without bringing anything but yourself, however many attendees bring tools such as Japanese kanna (hand planes), hewing axes, and sharpening gear to practice plane shaving and compete in the contest. There will be vendors onsite selling a broad range of tools. Check our schedule for notes on which tools might be required for specific hands-on workshops.