Japan House AiR Field Trip - Masters of Carpentry

Masters of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill & Spirit

The exhibit welcomes visitors into the world of the Japanese daiku, or master carpenters - the guardians of the timeless traditions and cultural heritage of Japan's woodcraft.

In Japan, a rich tradition of carpentry and wood craftsmanship has flourished over centuries, nurtured by imperial and sacred architecture, and propelled by the nation's economic and cultural development.

The exhibition is structured around 5 pillars of daiku culture: The master carpenter's refined tools; reverence for nature and the Japanese forest; the practice of dōmiya daiku – the shrine and temple carpenters; Kigumi - the strength and beauty of Japanese joinery; and the work of the sukiya daiku - the skillful carpenters employing natural materials to detail and finish elegant teahouses.