Japanese Woodworking Tools

by Toshio Odate

This text shows how to use Japanese tools effectively and maintain them properly, and explains the role they play in traditional Japanese craftsmanship. It describes how to create razor-sharp cutting edges and introduces almost 50 different planes.

Genres: Woodwork, Japan, Nonfiction, Crafts, Philosophy, Art

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1984

Reviews

[Emily Carlin]

This book was first published in 1984 but it feels as fresh, relevant, and useful as if it were written last week. The continuity of these tools and practices over time is existentially soothing.

[Cody Rioux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really wonderful overview of the Japanese hand tools used for woodworking. Originally published in the 80s but doesn't show much age because woodworking hand tools haven't really changed since then. This book will give you an overview of the landscape, as well as the details and variations of each tool as well as how to care for them.

It does not tell you what to make with them though, the book doesn't cover joins or contain any projects so you'll need to pair with another book such as The Complete Japanese Joinery to learn the types of joints you can make using these tools.

[Koen Crolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and detailed overview of the various tools used by Japanese woodworkers, and the traditional mindset of Japanese craftsmen. Odate is specifically a tategu-shi (a maker of sliding doors and things), but he makes the effort to cover tools other types of woodworkers might use more; if he left any out, the tremendous impact this book has had in the West means they might as well not exist anyway.
He does repeat some of the usual bullshit many Japanese people believe about tool steels and blacksmithing and couches it in pseudo-science, but so much of anything involving sharp edges is cargo cult bullshit that it's unlikely he made the situation worse; at worst, he just made it slightly different.

[Matt Connorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Odate presents an excellent overview on the subject of Japanese traditional woodworking tools and usage but that is perhaps less wonderful than the respectful, tender presentation he provides of his experience as an apprentice in a system that is traditionally extremely difficult and severe. I have read this book many times and recommended to hundreds of people and urge anyone with the slightest interest in the subject of traditional woodworking and craft to delve in to its pages. A marvelous book on craft and craftsmanship. Highly recommended.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will teach you how to setup, maintain and even make accessories for Japanese tools, but there' very little on how to actually use them. For that you will need a book like Making Shoji. I've been a long time fan and user of Japanese pull saws and chisels. Highly useful.

[Chris Boette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I changed this book's category from "Reading" to "Read". But in no way am I finished with this book. A poetic encyclopedia that is as much about carpentry as it is a cultural study, mixed in with a dash of life lesson. A nourishing reference text.

[Baldpacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this the most expensive book I've ever read?

While I may have only paid 24 Euros for this book, after reading it I want to buy 25k Euros in handcrafted Japanese chisel, planes, and knives. Toshio not only does an excellent job of explaining the history and use of various Japanese tools but also re-inforces the romanticism of Japanese craftsmanship and perfectionism.

Thankfully, before I sold a kidney to fill a shelf with stunning, Toshio reminds the reader that "Tools are made to be used, and great tools are made to be used by great craftsmen." Even though Toshio is a shokunin, he apparently did not always feel (and may still not feel) deserving of some of his best tools. Repeated several times throughout the book, this reminds me that I am only entering the world of Japanese Woodworking and Tools as a hobbiest and thus do not yet deserve the best tools I can afford.

This book has encouraged me to start my journey with Japanese tools and to begin practicing and learning with tools, developing my own connection to them and discovering how to maintain and improve them. Perhaps, eventually, after much practice, I will be deserving of a master's work.

In the meantime, I greatly appreciate Toshio's effort to share Japanese tool use and culture with Western readers and I will forever use this book as both inspiration and reference for my own woodwork.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book on the incredible world of Japanese woodworking tools. Odate covers not only the basics of the tools and their use, but delves into the spiritual foundation of traditional Japanese woodworking. This book left me with a deeply felt respect for Odate's mastery as well as his mindset. Highly recommended.

[Jeff Ammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on a very specific topic. If you're into it, it's got interesting perspectives on the life and perspective of a craftsman in Japan as well as a great deal of specifics about the tools used.

[Indranil Banerjie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great detail and understanding of Japanese tools.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As exhaustive as anything you could hope for. Now I wish Odate had a book on technique.

[David Hallard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time travel is possible.

[Kid · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great reference book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanting to get into woodworking more so I've been reading a few books here and there. Tradition joinery has always fascinated me and Japanese carpenters have amazing skills and traditions with the technique. This book focuses on traditional Japanese tools and their use and care. There is an interesting subtext in the book describing traditional apprenticeship in Japanese culture. Toshio Odate describes his time as an apprentice under his father, which was an uncommon way of doing an apprenticeship in Japan.