Observe uncontested wood-crafting mastery with an award-winning sashimono artisan
1.5 hour private experience
Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Visit the woodworking studio of a sashimono master. Learn more about the process of making sashimono and observe the master at work. See a selection of his completed works while enjoying tea and conversation.
Who can attend
Children must be 10+
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (10:00 - 11:30)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:00)
Access
13 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station
Going with the Grain
Hidden within the surface-level simplicity of sashimono are layers of intricate complexity. A woodworking style utilizing precise joinery, rather than nails, to bind together both small boxes and larger furniture, sashimono masterpieces require an unwavering dedication to precision, as even the slightest adjustment in angle can disrupt the product. Sashimono woodworking emerged between the 10th and 12th centuries alongside the spread of Buddhism in Japan, and quickly spread in popularity among the imperial court, nobility, and monks, with its refined, seamless joints later reflecting the understated elegance prized in tea ceremonies and aristocratic life. Then, by the Edo period, samurai also embraced sashimono techniques, incorporating them into their daily lives. At this studio, operated by an award-winning sashimono artisan with over 6 decades of woodworking expertise, witness a true master at work. Sourcing unique wood, from an over a thousand-year-old cypress buried and preserved beneath the soil, trees felled from nearby Kanazawa icon Kenrokuen Gardens, and wooden cast-offs from one of Kyoto's most beloved temples, Kiyomizudera, the master carefully considers all of wood's characteristics when crafting his masterpieces. See for yourself the sheer quality going into the construction of even just a single one of his works in this observational sashimono studio visit.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
