Japanese Woodworking Intensive:
Dovetail Hanging shelf
Make a hanging wall shelf while learning Sashimono style Japanese Woodworking
A four-day intensive deep dive into woodworking with Japanese hand tools. We’ll make a hanging shelf out of two choices of hardwood learning the traditional techniques of sashimono — woodworking with hand cut joinery.
4 Day Intensive Workshop
Small Class Size
2 choices of hardwood: Walnut or Maple
Japanese Sashimono style woodworking techniques
Hand made washi paper doors
Limited seats available to keep the class small and focused.
What you’ll make
In this week-long intensive course on sashimono style woodworking, we’ll be making a hanging shelf with dovetail joinery out of premium maple or walnut hardwood.
This will be a deep dive into the tools and techniques of Japanese style woodworking through the making of a full project, from start to finish.
To finish off the shelf, we’ll be adding handmade paper-wrapped doors that feature a very simple traditional hinge found on some antique Japanese tansu cabinets.
As this is an intermediate class, some woodworking experience is recommended. We will jump straight into the project at the beginning of the week. We won’t be going over any initial tool setup or sharpening such as I teach in my chisel & plane class. This class will focus solely on the techniques of making the dovetailed shelf.
Tools will be provided if needed, however it is encouraged to have your own tools to get familiar with them.
By the end of the class, you'll leave with:
• A fully finished dovetailed hanging shelf
• New hand tool skills: dovetails, dadoes, and grooves with Japanese hand tools
• A deeper understanding of traditional Japanese sashimono woodworking
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
This workshop introduces the core techniques behind traditional sashimono style woodworking.
During the class you'll learn:
• How to safely use essential Japanese woodworking tools
• The fundamentals of accurate layout and marking
• Traditional hand tool cutting techniques for dovetails, dadoes, and grooves
•How to use a kanna to smooth and chamfer wood
These skills form the foundation for many future woodworking projects.
WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR
Perfect for you if:
• You have some woodworking experience, but want to go deeper with Japanese hand tools
• You enjoy learning traditional craft skills
• You want a calm, hands-on creative experience
Required skills:
chisel & hand plane sharpening and set up
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything you need is provided.
Your registration includes:
✔ Choice of premium maple or walnut wood (fully milled and prepared for the class)
✔ Handmade Hanji or Washi paper
✔ Small class size for personal instruction
✔ Finishing materials
✔ Fully designed plans you take home for future use
*All tools we’ll use for this class listed below. A full set of tools is available to use during the class if you don’t have them.
CLASS DETAILS
Duration
4 Days T-F (9am – 5pm)
Skill Level
Intermediate
Class Size
Class limited to 6 participants
Location
North Ironbound | Newark, NJ (Address upon signup)
Tools
Required tool list above (student tools can also be provided if needed)
Price (including all materials)
$1195