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The Genius of Japanese Carpentry: Secrets of an Ancient Woodworking Craft Paperback – November 9, 2021

by Azby Brown (Author), Mira Locher (Foreword)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 208 ratings
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The Genius of Japanese Carpentry tells the story of the 1200-year-old Yakushiji monastery in Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the dedicated modern-day craftsmen who are working to restore what has been lost to the depredations of time, fire and warfare.

Although the monastery's reconstruction will not be fully completed until 2030, one of the primary temples—the Picture Hall—has been wholly restored employing the same materials, tools and techniques originally used in its creation over a millennium ago. Featuring intricate, puzzle-like joinery and the integration of timber pieces to orient them in the same direction as when it was a growing tree, this book skillfully documents the stunning craftsmanship of the ancient Japanese, which is still alive today.

First published more than thirty years ago, this book has become a classic. Author Azby Brown, one of the world's leading experts on Japanese architecture, chronicles the painstaking restoration of the Yakushiji monastery through:
  • Extensive interviews with carpenters and woodworkers
  • Original drawings based on the plans of master carpenter Tsunekazu Nishioka
  • Detailed photographs and diagrams showing the woodworking techniques, tools and materials used

This revised edition of the book contains a new foreword by Mira Locher, one of the world's leading experts on vernacular and modern Japanese architecture.

An inspiring testament to the dedication of these craftsmen and their philosophy of carpentry work as a form of personal fulfillment, The Genius of Japanese Carpentry offers detailed documentation of the restoration of this historic building and a moving reminder of the unique cultural continuity found in Japan.c
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Tuttle Publishing
  4. Publication date
    November 9, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    8.4 x 0.5 x 11 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    4805316683
  7. ISBN-13
    978-4805316689
  8. See all details
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More books on Japanese buildings, architecture, and design from Tuttle Publishing: 250 Plans and Sketches Plus Illustrations of Joinery History / Culture / Design An Exploration of Elements & Forms Architecture + Interiors + Design The Complete Works of Takashi Sugimoto, Japan's Leading Interior Designer Recent Works by the World's Leading Architects

Editorial Reviews

Review

"My main impression throughout reading this book has been one of head shaking and disbelief, and sheer amazement at the ingenuity of Japanese carpenters current and old. If you have any interest in carpentry, timber framing, woodworking, or even Japanese history, I highly recommend this book" —The Year of Mud blog

"The Genius of Japanese Carpentry focuses on Japan's foremost carpenters who combine the timeless past and living present." —Japan Woodcraft Association

"…very much heartfelt appreciation of Japanese carpentry." —Japan Forward blog

About the Author

Azby Brown is a native of New Orleans, and has lived in Japan since 1985. A widely published author and authority on Japanese architecture, design, and environment, his groundbreaking writings on traditional Japanese carpentry, compact housing, and traditional sustainable practices of Japan are recognized as having brought these fields to the awareness of Western designers and the general public. In addition to The Genius of Japanese Carpentry, he has written Small Spaces (1993), The Japanese Dream House (2001), The Very Small Home (2005), and Just Enough: Lessons in living green from traditional Japan (2010). He retired in 2017 from the Kanazawa Institute of Technology, where he founded the Future Design Institute, and is currently on the sculpture faculty of Musashino Art University in Tokyo.

Foreword writer Mira Locher is an architect and professor who works in the U.S. and Japan. She studied at Smith College before receiving her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After working for Team Zoo Atelier Mobile in Japan for seven years, she set up an architectural practice in the U.S. with Takayuki Murakami. Mira Locher is Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba (Canada). She is the author of Super Potato Design, Zen Gardens and Zen Garden Design.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tuttle Publishing; Revised edition (November 9, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 4805316683
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-4805316689
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 0.5 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 208 ratings

About the author

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Azby Brown

Azby Brown

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AZBY BROWN is a native of New Orleans, and has lived in Japan since 1985. A widely published author and authority on Japanese architecture, design, and environment, his groundbreaking writings on traditional Japanese carpentry, compact housing, and traditional sustainable practices of Japan are recognized as having brought these fields to the awareness of Western designers and the general public. His books include The Very Small Home (2005), Just Enough: Lessons in living green from traditional Japan (2010), and The Genius of Japanese Carpentry (2014). He joined the Faculty of Architecture at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology in 1995. In 2003 he founded the KIT Future Design Institute in Tokyo, focussing on cognitive and cultural issues surrounding the human hand and its use in the creative process, conducting collaborative research with neuroscientists and perceptual psychologists on the neurobiology of the hand and hand-based creativity and communication. His creative work has been widely exhibited at galleries and museums internationally.

Since the start of Fukushima Nuclear Powerplant disaster in March 2011, Azby has been a core member of Safecast, a highly successful global volunteer-based citizen-science organization devoted to developing new technology platforms for crowdsourced environmental monitoring which promote open-source and open data principles. He is Safecast’s lead researcher, and is primary author of the Safecast Report, closely involved with assisting affected communities and analyzing and reporting the issues they face. A sought-after speaker on both Japanese culture and the scientific and social consequences of disaster response, Azby is frequently quoted by major media outlets who seek a credible, critical, and independent voice to counter partisan talking points.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
208 global ratings
Just like you
5 Stars
Just like you
An excellent book. The author is able to capture the spirit of Japanese carpentry. I to was able to apprentice under a daiku. A bit on usual I admit but probably the best teacher I ever had
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Top reviews from the United States

JVSGUSCASD
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on making a shinto temple, but not so much as a step by step for carpentry.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great book on the building philosophy, selection of materials and historical notes of building a traditional shinto temple. Not really an instruction manual on how carpentry. I was looking for a book to show me the in's and out's of wood working, but this is not really that book. It does go into detail on how to select the wood and why. It also has super great pictures on the actual temple itself.
15 people found this helpful
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Harlan Kanoa Sheppard
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview for the layperson.
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
I am not a carpenter by trade, though I have worked in construction. My father, however, was a carpenter.

I always found the concepts and rules of constructing buildings to be fascinating. A hardly, practical application of the physical sciences is necessary for the creation of buildings that stand the test of time. From that perspective, I have found traditional Japanese carpentry to straddle the line between science and art. The intricacies of their woodworking techniques are not well understood in the west.

This book was a pleasant glance into the practice of dedicated tradesmen from another land. I got to see some examples of joinery, and also the training and attitudes of the craftsmen. This was well worth the read and the asking price.
10 people found this helpful
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nordicwoodcraft
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
great pictures, good information.
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Karl Bareis
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful journey into the world of Japanese carpentry
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
Right from the first page the reader is transported into the life of the master builder. A clear departure from Western architecture, where design is the inspiration of an individual, Japanese tradition follows rules created by the forest; the way trees grow their strengths and the specific use for each material. Azby's personal journey through the difficult and demanding world of the apprentice woodworker allows the reader a unique view of the culture of wood going back to ancient times. Well worth keeping and sharing.

Karl Bareis - custom builder
10 people found this helpful
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PVreader
5.0 out of 5 stars A rare look at temple restoration work
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
Not a 'how to' book at all. Ordinary carpenters may be mystified by it. Excellent at conveying the spirit and sophistication of the high level temple woodworkers of Japan. Well worth the time to both read and contemplate the history and tradition that inform and support the elegance of traditional building arts in Japan written by a long-term resident (Japan) American architect.
4 people found this helpful
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Brian Graham
3.0 out of 5 stars WARNING: don't purchase for kindle.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
I'm sure this is a great book. I was excited to read it. Just after purchasing, I fired up my kindle and realized it's not formatted for kindle at all. It's a pdf scan, virtually unreadable on a kindle PaperWhite.

Whoever publishes this, please take the proper time and attention this book deserves, and format it correctly.
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Scott A Fullington
5.0 out of 5 stars Great challenge for woodworking
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
Amazing to learn, though hard to master.
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American worker/consumer
5.0 out of 5 stars and w great reverence. Well illustrated
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
Well researched and written, and w great reverence. Well illustrated, inspiring!
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Top reviews from other countries

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christian
5.0 out of 5 stars Super tolles Buch
Reviewed in Germany on December 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
Must have
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Cliente Amazon
2.0 out of 5 stars 6 meses de espera
Reviewed in Spain on August 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
El libro es lo que esperaba. Es un regalo así que no lo he leído, pero tiene muy buena pinta para los amantes de la arquitectura tradicional y la carpintería. Lo que no es de recibo es que Amazon, para un producto que tienen en stock, vendido por ellos mismos, tarden 6 meses en entregarlo. Muy mal servicio (pedido realizado el 9 de febrero y entregado el 22 de agosto) para un producto que siempre aparecía en stock
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Cliente Amazon
2.0 out of 5 stars 6 meses de espera
Reviewed in Spain on August 22, 2022
El libro es lo que esperaba. Es un regalo así que no lo he leído, pero tiene muy buena pinta para los amantes de la arquitectura tradicional y la carpintería. Lo que no es de recibo es que Amazon, para un producto que tienen en stock, vendido por ellos mismos, tarden 6 meses en entregarlo. Muy mal servicio (pedido realizado el 9 de febrero y entregado el 22 de agosto) para un producto que siempre aparecía en stock
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JJWalsh
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm now in awe of Temple joints, planning and the care of creating it
Reviewed in Japan on April 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Having lived in japan for many years and visited many temples, I have a newfound respect for Japanese carpentry and design thanks to Azby's wonderful book. The beams fitted together without nails like insane jigsaw puzzles and the planning of temples and trees down to the promises made to the trees to honoring them by positioning them as they were on the mountain directionally in the temple. Unbelievable and artisanship we need to know more about to respect the artisans and support their work.
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claude mercier construction c mercier inc
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
very interesting book
One person found this helpful
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PC
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting book for both carpenters and history buffs.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very interesting book. Tells the history of both the famous temple in Nara prefecture and of the carpenters and carpentry techniques that the Japanese used to build these ancient wooden structures. This is a book that you can read cover to cover not just a book that you dip into.

My sister who is training to become a carpenter and also has a great interest in history and restoration carpentry was very pleased with it. She says that it is a real eye opener for someone trained in traditional European carpentry techniques.
5 people found this helpful
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