Thread: KEZUROU-KAI meet up in Japan, May 5-6 2015 in Kobe. Who wants to come?

Aha, you're thejapanstone Alex, nice to see you again.

Pam

Pam
You are one of those people I would love to see tooling around Japan, I know that you would fit right in.

Alex

Thanks for the informative post. It sounds like a lot of fun!
I'd like to go, but not sure if I'll be able to go to Japan again just yet.. but maybe!

Earlier this year, I did go to the Takenaka tool museum too, but it was still being renovated after the move, so it was closed when I was there.

Originally Posted by alx

Pam
You are one of those people I would love to see tooling around Japan, I know that you would fit right in.

Alex

That's what I thought, too, until I experienced a couple of events in California, and keep in mind it's a 2000 or so mile trip, so some effort and money required: 1) Yataiki seminar, at the beginning of which he made a point of telling Kiyoko to tell me that he normally didn't teach women but he was making a big exception for this event, and it got worse, much worse; and 2) the Hida kezurou-kai in Oakland (at which I think I met you) at which Hida staff were very friendly, but none of the woodworkers/attendees would even talk to me, I wandered around the workshop for 2 days doing nothing, got no chance to contribute to building the gate, or even carry a piece of wood. And to think I made Jack rush through the drive from LA to Oakland so I could make it in time.

And then there's Toshio, who taught me to use the tools (especially the saw, I'm forever grateful for that) in a weekend workshop; but then 3 years later, as if I couldn't have possibly learned anything over those years, he muddied the water so much over a 2 hour Japanese tool survey course I had agreed to teach that it became impossible, had to drop out. He was so pleased to take my place. Now, it would have been understandable if the school had chosen him to start with, but they didn't.

So, yeah, I'd love to pal around Japan with you and your wife, but I don't want to spend one more minute of my life dealing with men who don't want me using tools, or any other "male" things I do, like developing software, riding motorcycles, ...

Pam

Pam
That does not sound good or fair. The Yataiki class at the Sausalito boat yard I am sorry I missed that, and too bad that Kiyoko was pressed to do that dirty deed. Blacksmiths of his generation were very conservative and usually aloof around women, unless they had a few drinks under their belt. I am not apologizing for him as that was uncalled for. I had to deal with the same sexism when I worked in a shop in Japan, and that is one of the reasons I quit. The boss was pressuring me to go for the annual trip to Taiwan, a basically "get laid" event for the guys.

The kezuroukai's are pretty much peopled by much younger people of both sexes, I look old there. Everyone is so busy and there is so much to do everyone is really upbeat because it is a netural field. I have a few photos my partner took at the kezuroukai but now here are some taken in the Takenaka Museum.
Alex

I am expecting to be in Japan at some time next year, but my timing will be determined by others in the family. Should the times coincide I'll make every effort to get there.

Neil

PS - I appreciate what Pam is saying about her experience as a woman carpenter with traditional Japanese men. It's still a very custom bound society, which can be understood from their history. Their tools are also a product of that history. Alex's anecdote about the Taiwan trips is more than just about sexism in Japanese society. It's a complex topic for another time.

But I forgot to mention how wonderful Inomoto-san was, he and Harrelson taught me how to make Japanese planes.

I don't feel particularly bad about these other experiences, more like very tired and unwilling to argue about it any more. So, they win (I decided not to pursue any sort of woodworking as a profession, but I instead have pursued writing fiction, which is wonderful, I'm good at it); and I go on doing woodworking privately without these kinds of hassles. I like it that I seem to have a few friends in these forums.

Pam

Originally Posted by Pam

But I forgot to mention how wonderful Inomoto-san was, he and Harrelson taught me how to make Japanese planes.

Pam

Inomoto-san is a dear and his wife Tsuyako is a sweetheart. Many do not know but Inomoto-san has an open dojo and will give free classes in dai making to anyone.

Alex

Originally Posted by alx

Inomoto-san is a dear and his wife Tsuyako is a sweetheart. Many do not know but Inomoto-san has an open dojo and will give free classes in dai making to anyone.

Alex

He seemed most interested in passing on his craft, and he did that with aplomb.

Pam

The origanizers of the Kezuroukai have just posted some details for he next meet on May 5&6 2015 in Kobe. The big news is that the Takenaka Tool Museum will be setting up a special Chiyozuru Korehide exhibition, and I am sure all stops will be pulled out for this meeting. This is a Tuesday and Wednesday meeting, and it is during Golden Week, one of the major holidays in Japan and hotel reservations can be difficult at the last minute.
Below is a like to the Posting for the meet.

Alex

http://kezuroukai.jp/sp/

Originally Posted by alx

Funny, there is a meet-up in Japan twice a year, and it is the Greatest Show On Earth as far as japanese tools and their use is concerned. It is called Kezurou-kai (wood planing meet). Most of you here know about it but I never see any of you there.

I propose a mass attendance of gals and fellows all show up there in May 5-6 in Kobe from the U.S. and Europe and Australia.

There are sometimes strange coincidences in life. I was planning to go back to Kobe during the spring and was looking for information regarding woodworking there. Shops, courses, advises.... and I came up on your post !

Thank you very much, my plane ticket is in my pocket and got accommodation booked for the first days... will be there

Originally Posted by LeOak

There are sometimes strange coincidences in life. I was planning to go back to Kobe during the spring and was looking for information regarding woodworking there. Shops, courses, advises.... and I came up on your post !

Thank you very much, my plane ticket is in my pocket and got accommodation booked for the first days... will be there

Le

Let me know what you are going to wear and I will do the same so we can say hello.

Alex

Originally Posted by alx

Le

Let me know what you are going to wear and I will do the same so we can say hello.

Alex

Great ! I will message you a few days before

Originally Posted by LeOak

Great ! I will message you a few days before

Philippe
I look forward to it, and I will share your questions if you don't mind.

I quote in part,
"Do you know what are my chances to meet at Kezuroukai someone who could provide me with a course regarding any
carpentry, furniture making, tool making in traditional way ? and in English ?"


A couple of suggestions and these are just off the top of my head.

First: make youself a tee-shirt that reads something like "Hello, do you speak English?" or "I Want to Learn". This might attract someone who does. Lots and lots of people in Japan can read english, or even speak it but are too shy in public. you might be surprised.

Second: when you go in the door of the kezuroukai reception I would recommend that you become a member. International membership for me by mail was free. It might be free for you also or it could just be a small charge of a few dollars. This gives you a chance to talk to someone at the kezuroukai reception in English. There are a lot of young people working as helpers and some do speak english, so give it a try.

Thirdly: try and be at the kezuroukai both the first and second day too. The first day is more casual and the second is more competitive. Everyone there is pretty skilled at what they do but not everyone is a carpenter or blacksmith, but there are some of both. Being there both days will give you your best shot. The second day is when the really good wood shaving takes place and they give out prizes.

Fourthly: The Takenaka Tool museum has a demonstration workshop. If I were you I would write the the Museum a letter ahead of time and try to schedule a class. And at the kezuroukai there are demonstrations that you can participate in, like sawing timbers and handplanning. I am sort of shy but still I have done those, you can too, you just have to hang around and someone will ask you if you want to try.

I hope I will see you there, I have sort of a long white beard and messy hair.

Good Luck
Alex