Make Small Japanese Boxes

Woodworking

Make Small Japanese Boxes

Learn to make traditional Japanese wooden boxes, suitable for multiple purposes.

 

Tuition Assistance and Other Policies

Meeting Times
  1. Tue, 9/24/2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  2. Thur, 9/26/2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  3. Tue, 10/1/2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  4. Thur, 10/3/2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Tue, 9/24/2024 - Thur, 10/3/2024

See additional date options »




Type:
Class, Intensive Workshop, No Prerequisite

Location:
Woodworking & Small Boatbuilding Studio

Interests:
General Woodworking, Hand Woodworking

About

These elegant, softwood boxes are glued together and feature removable tops. Traditionally, they stored many things, from tools to ingredients for tea ceremonies. Their simple design puts the focus on how the wood grain seamlessly blends each top to the lower box body and on the silky feel of the wood once it's smoothed with sharp Japanese-style hand planes.

This class is designed for both beginners and experienced woodworkers who want to develop skills in using traditional Japanese-style tools. You'll get to use:

  • Japanese saws.
  • Japanese marking gauges.
  • Japanese planes.
  • Japanese chisels.
Time permitting, you'll be able to make several boxes in this class.

Materials

A $40 materials fee, included in the class fee, covers everything you need.

Class Policies

  • Ages 14 and up are welcome.
  • Wear safety glasses and closed-toe shoes.
  • We recommend bringing your own safety glasses.

BARN Policies

Instructors or Guides

Gary Bella

Gary Bella grew up in western Pennsylvania. After college and art school, he moved to the Bay Area and began working in residential construction in Marin County. He later specialized in finish carpentry while developing a design/build business. He took classes in traditional Japanese woodworking and helped build Japanese-style houses and tea houses in California, New York, and Washington. After he moved to Bainbridge in 2003, he continued to build Japanese-inspired projects for private clients. He was among the craftsmen who restored the Japanese guest house at Bloedel Reserve and continues to do work there.

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