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An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

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21–30 of 32 posts

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#21

The bed we recently bought was "mostly Japanese joinery" type construction. It was an absolute joy to assemble, which when I think about it is a very weird thing to say about a bed. But I've told several people this, so it must have had an effect on me. I don't want to be thought of as shilling for a brand, but the brand I got is Thuma. Assembly instructions: https://www.thuma.co/pages/assembly-thebed-headboard And a…

I'm curious how it sleeps and wears over time. I was thinking of building one like that, but decided against it because of the concern of the joints between the legs and the rails: if it's loose enough to assemble in the summer time without an almighty hammer, it seems like it'd be subject to a fair bit of racking and rattling during the winter when the air is much drier. Does anyone here have any long-term experienc…

I’ve had a Thuma frame for over a year now.

No rattling, no loosening. I plan to purchase another one (a king size) later this year.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#22
post #2

There is a Japanese carpenter with 50 years of experience on YouTube who documents his construction of entire homes, which I would recommend to anyone who is interested in modern Japanese wood construction: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdf5QHEpfrg3KydeT3iD2IQ (English) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdrVc2ByfvnNW14R6o_WpkA (Japanese)

I have also recently discovered his channel. It is a joy to watch him work.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#23

there was a guy from Kentucky / Tennessee area that moved to California with his long, blonde hair and beard, and studied that carpentry. He had a long wood working tradition at home, and was skilled enough - in the 1970s, when Yoko and John were an item. This guy eventually did visit Japan, but the trip did not go well. Whatever happened, it did not go well. Later, besides doing occasional museum demonstrations and…

What are you trying to say?

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#24
post #7

Japanese Homes and their Surroundings 1889 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52868 One of my favorites on this subject, focuses more on design than construction but goes into some details which many books on construction neglect or gloss over.

The Japanese House: A Tradition for Contemporary Architecture by Heinrich Engel https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/424932

Thank you so much, I've been looking for this vaguely remembered book on the internet for many years. I read it in the library as a tween in the 80s but never saw it again.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#25
post #2

There is a Japanese carpenter with 50 years of experience on YouTube who documents his construction of entire homes, which I would recommend to anyone who is interested in modern Japanese wood construction: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdf5QHEpfrg3KydeT3iD2IQ (English) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdrVc2ByfvnNW14R6o_WpkA (Japanese)

Thanks for the links! I'm already subscribed to his japanese channel, and I have watched a lot of his videos on it. I don't speak japanese, but that doesn't matter at all!

I didn't know about his english channel.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#26
post #9

Wow, look at those beautiful precut joints. Meanwhile in the US, you're picking through a pile of ugly bent up lumber just to find something that's not totally screwed up.

Pretty much everything you get at the hardware store is overpriced junk, including and especially wood. Try to find a different source.

Except 2x4 framing, which is often a loss leader to get contractors in the door.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#27
post #23

there was a guy from Kentucky / Tennessee area that moved to California with his long, blonde hair and beard, and studied that carpentry. He had a long wood working tradition at home, and was skilled enough - in the 1970s, when Yoko and John were an item. This guy eventually did visit Japan, but the trip did not go well. Whatever happened, it did not go well. Later, besides doing occasional museum demonstrations and…

What are you trying to say?

The Japanese are a special blend of insular / racist, I'd guess.i mean, ethnic Japanese that settled in Brazil are not regarded as true Japanese.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#29
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those houses have nothing to do with traditional Japanese construction and joinery, those are just cheap houses built to fill an immediate need. This is a fairly common thing anywhere that is experiencing rapid growth, you either meet the needs of the people or they move somewhere else, you can't expect them to be homeless until their palace is built. Edit: I said traditional and the thread is about modern, but OPs l…

Japan is experiencing rapid growth?

Tokyo is, yes.

Re: An overview of modern Japanese wood construction (2004) [pdf]

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much everything you get at the hardware store is overpriced junk, including and especially wood. Try to find a different source.

Except 2x4 framing, which is often a loss leader to get contractors in the door.

Yes indeed and also convenience. Big box stores are great when you need to grab a few (or more) pieces of whatever at 9pm on a Sunday.

But otherwise yeah support your local lumberyard whenever possible - and help them have reasonable working hours etc

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