Recent work

I have the opportunity to build the furniture for a beautiful new house, close to my workshop. The house is in a very nice part of town, on an old family property.  The owner is a great person to do work for, and has been very appreciative of the pieces that I have done for him so far.

Here are some photos of the lane that the house is on, and the home itself, with some of my furniture.  As you can see, the rear part of the house has a beautiful garden.

Click on photos to enlarge.

最近私の工房の近くの美しいお宅の為に家具を制作致しました。そのお宅は昔からの旧家で

安曇野市の美しい郊外に位置します。このお宅の方は良い方で私の家具をとても喜んで頂いております。この写真はそのお宅の前の道と家、最初納品致しました家具です。お宅の裏にはとても美しい庭があります。

Shigoto die

This is my traditional Japanese woodworking bench that I have used for many years.  It is made from a good piece of Birch wood.  The removable vise is somewhat taller than you usually find a woodworker using, but it suits my own height well.  The original vise that was given to me as an apprentice, it was quite a bit lower, and my back was always hurting.

Some work from awhile back......
Wa-tansu made from Cherry and Kiri Wood, ordered by a brother and sister living near Shinjuku, in Tokyo.  The Kiri tree grew in their garden, and was planted by their mother.  It had become weak, and was unsteady on it's roots.  I brought the tree back to my location in Nagano, and had it sawn, then dried the wood.  Kiri dries quickly, and is unusual, in that the wood needs to be exposed to the rain while losing internal moisture, in order to develop good color.   It turned out to be excellent Kiri wood!   After first cutting the tree, it took about one year before I was able to complete the chest.
It was an interesting project for me, and when I delivered the tansu, my customer's mother wept.

Furniture Exhibition in Ofuna

"Watakushi No Isu-Ten"

8/8/09 - 9/23/09

The Yama No Ue gallery is a very nice art gallery, in an attractive and peaceful location, above the town of Ofuna.  You can look out and see the onions growing in the field(!), and the surrounding hills and town near Kamakura. 

This is my third time to show my furniture at the Yama No Ue gallery.  It is a long drive by car to bring my work for the show, it took 11 hours, to go and return home!

Ms. Izumikawa, who is in charge of the gallery, is a very enjoyable person, with a good sense about arranging the exhibitions.  She works hard to provide an excellent atmosphere and display for the visitors to enjoy. 

Please come and see!

I will be there on 8/22 - 8/23, and 9/5 - 9/6.  My gallery talk is on 9/5.  See you there...I hope!