Some observations about Japanese craftsmanship

**Des.K.** · 29th November 2011, 02:43 PM

I’m currently in Japan with SWMBO where we attended our niece’s wedding. I don’t watch much TV, but last night there was a program on NHK (I think), which is the Japanese equivalent of the ABC in Australia, that I found very interesting, and relevant to many of the problems that woodworkers face in Australia, and probably in most places around the world.

The hour-long program featured a sukiya-daiku. Sukiya is a Japanese tea-ceremony pavilion, and the sukiya-daiku (sukiya carpenter) specialises in building these pavilions. Along with the miya-daiku (temple carpenters), these shokunin form the pinnacle of carpentry in Japan.

The program and the shokunin’s work itself was fascinating, but beyond that, the program stood in stark contrast to anything that our TV stations attempt. I may be wrong, but I’ve never seen a program in Australia that presents the theme of craftsmanship in this way. Most of the comparable shows seem to be DIY efforts where everything and anything can be fixed with either a bigger nail, a bigger hammer, or both.

I think it’s because of the perception this generates that people in Australia seem to want craftsmanship quality, but are not prepared to pay a fair amount for it. There are no misconceptions about this in Japan — thanks to TV programs such as this, people here seem to have a much greater understanding of what it means to be a shokunin, and know that the craftsmanship they offer is not cheap. If they want IKEA prices, they go to IKEA. This applies not just to woodworking, but to all the other crafts as well here.

It’s a shame that some of our TV program producers can’t see past the current crop of confrontational reality rubbish, and find some true craftsmen (and women) and feature their work, without trying to find an angle. I know we have world-class craftsmen here so it shouldn’t be that hard to find them. Then, perhaps and hopefully, people would develop a better understanding of what is quality, what’s not, and the true worth of that quality.

I’m not holding my breath waiting for that to happen, though.

Just some idle ramblings before I leave to catch my flight back to Australia.

Des

**LachlanT** · 29th November 2011, 03:16 PM

Hi Des.K.

I thoroughly appreciate what you have to say. It is tiresome to constantly see craft projects presented on TV as more than they really are. I love seeing the intricacies of high quality construction be it in wood or any other medium. It improves my thinking if nothing else.

Lachlan

**Mr Brush** · 29th November 2011, 03:22 PM

Good point, well made.

Sorry state of affairs when some of our best talent finds it more effective to box up stuff and send it to a gallery in the USA rather than sell locally. The yanks are far more prepared to pay for top quality, one-off, craftsman made items it seems.

Get the ABC to do a doco on him, finishing up with a shot of all his stuff being loaded into crates for shipping o/s.....just to make the point

**tea lady** · 29th November 2011, 04:15 PM

Yes its really frustrating that everything has to be done in the fastest time possible. And under budget of course!

And they are always doing stuff out of MDF! One travesty I saw had the show's "artist" whipping up some "art" out of cut up MDF for a house that was owned by a REAL artist!

Maybe we could have a show sponsored by Carbatech and Mathews timber where they show some real artisans doing work that has taken them years to perfect!

Dream on!

**Fuzzie** · 29th November 2011, 05:39 PM

I think ratings for shows like Grand Designs and the Antique Roadshow demonstrate the audience is there and discounting some of the reality/competitive cookoff shows there are a number of good foodie programs that have promoted quality local food and ingredients that have turned at least some people away from tinned soup and Maccas.

The problem for the Aus networks is the perceived small audience vs cost of production and the required commercial return. When you have the likes of the ABC even dropping Art Nation from it's lineup there isn't much hope we'll see a local craft show anytime soon. That said I'd be happy to even see one of the secondary channels pick up some of the american woodworking shows rather than have yet another repeat of Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie.

Maybe SBS could even pick up some of the NHK stuff with the English language feed. I wish they would do that for their morning Japanese news that I occasionally stumble upon. I know they transmit an English option in Japan, why can't we also see that here?

**tea lady** · 29th November 2011, 06:44 PM

Maybe we could start a "slow make" movement to go with the "slow food" movement!

**AlexS** · 29th November 2011, 06:52 PM

A couple of Sturt graduates made Milton Workshop a few years ago, but don't think it lasted long, unfortunately.

**BobL** · 29th November 2011, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by tea lady

Maybe we could start a "slow make" movement to go with the "slow food" movement!

I could open with an offer of "slow painting" , I have some exterior surfaces on our house I undercoated in 1979 that still need a topcoat? Mind you they also need a complete sanding and new undercoat.

**SawDustSniffer** · 29th November 2011, 07:11 PM

big brother house full of tools , machinery, foundry ect , fill it up with craftsmen and artists , have to produce i peace a week ,let them out to get materials ,, the lowest money earner gets the #### ???

**Claw Hama** · 29th November 2011, 07:12 PM

Hear hear, I can't stand all those Block thingy shows, 60 minute makeover rubbish

. Would love to get the Japanese version. I loved the Japanese buildings, temples etc when I there

. True craftmanship. Its hard to sell someone a table for $5000 when they see them at Harvey Normoman or somewhere for $500.

**dr4g0nfly** · 29th November 2011, 10:03 PM

It's not just you folks in Aus with this problem. It's the same here in the UK.

Yes there are a few people who are prepared to pay real money for what they want, but the majority look a something and make the comment 'It's only a bit of wood!'.

They don't even understand the cost of the raw wood itself, never mind the time, effort, skill, and all the rest of the sundry items used in making that 'Bit of wood' into a quality something for sale.

**tea lady** · 29th November 2011, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by SawDustSniffer

big brother house full of tools , machinery, foundry ect , fill it up with craftsmen and artists , have to produce i peace a week ,let them out to get materials ,, the lowest money earner gets the #### ???

No no! That's not the idea! No having to produce anything!

Although I wouldn't mind being in there! Just have the time to think about art! Do we get someone else to do the dishes?

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