Asia Art Tours is proud to interview Takami Kawai, whose Kickstarter is live now! he was kind enough to talk with us about Suikoushya and his dream of opening his very own wood-working school in Kyoto
The Kickstarter is live here, please donate as soon as you can!: kickstarter.com/projects/1911438091/study-woodworking-in-japan
Asia Art Tours: Could you tell us a bit about yourself. What is your background and how did you become interested in Carpentry?
I am a traditional Japanese carpenter and registered architect with over 16 years of experience in sustainable design and construction. I prides myself in creating the ideal living space orientated at remaining in harmony with nature.
As often as possible I prefers to use authentic traditional Japanese carpentry techniques. I thought about when I was 8 years old. I thought that it would be very wonderful if I could make such a nice house with my own hands.
It is this encounter that I am doing my favorite carpenters.
AAT: What is your Kickstarter about? And how can people help?
Currently, there are several places to learn woodworking in Japan; however, they are hosted in Japanese. Over the past few months, I have learned that there are many people who wish to study in Japan but are held back because of the language barrier.
Due to this, many are hesitant to pursue their dreams of studying woodworking in Japan.I believe it is a waste for people to give up on thoroughly learning something they are passionate about just because of the language.
So I thought about it… and realised the answer to this big barrier is to build a school catered for English speakers where they can learn these woodworking skills.
This school will be conducted in English where you will learn intensively about traditional Japanese woodworking. It will be taught directly by an active Japanese carpenter. An English speaking carpenter will also be at hand to help interpret.
By learning about Japanese traditional woodworking with me, you can discover the charms and depth of the Japanese woodworking culture.
AAT: What lessons/art do you think are unique to Japanese carpentry and what wisdom can they teach people…. even if they are not carpenters?
The unique of Japanese carpentry:
- Use the wood as it is (to last long without painting)
- 2Use the properties of the wood successfully (predict how it will change, combine wood and wood)
- Combine wood and wood with only wood without using metal joints such as nails and bolts
Students, anyone who loves woodworking, learned the nature of the wood, Learn how to use tools to handle woods and learn how to adjust tools.
Knowing how to handle woods and using tools, you will be able to find infinite possibilities in woodworking.
Asia Art Tours: Lastly, What is the best and most important lesson you learned as a carpenter?
The most important lesson I have learned as a carpenter is, the universal beauty exists in things made without going against nature, that is the most stable condition.
Asia Art Tours recommends you drop everything and donate to Takami’s Kickstarter. Every bit helps! kickstarter.com/projects/1911438091/study-woodworking-in-japan
More information can be found here as well:
Website:http://suikoushya.com/en/suikoushya-2/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfqc2hpLPLj8VfgpalvEqcg
Instagram: www.instagram.com/suikoushya/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/suikoushya/
