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Building Without Nails, the Genius of Japanese Carpentry

Posted on February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 by Dharma Documentaries
A short documentary on the traditional art of Japanese carpentry and its place in modern New York.

Building Without Nails

Last week I showed a film about traditional Japanese woodblock printing, which was used amongst other things for the printing of sutras.

This week I have a short documentary about the traditional art of Japanese carpentry, The film focuses on the work of Hisao Hanafusa, who owns the exclusive Miya Shoji shop in New York.

Although like all hand-crafted products they are only really available to the super-rich, the philosophy behind them will be of interest to all.

It was also the way Chinese Temples of the Tang Dynasty were made, and later the Japanese Temples, some of which are still standing 1,000 years later.

In all that is done, from cutting to drying to carving, even to orientation, the object is to work with the wood rather than against it, and to bring out the best qualities that that particular piece of wood has, making it unique, rather than standardised.

 

if this video is no longer available please leave a comment so I can update the page
(the comment is not published)

 

to see an album of stills click here

 

TAGS:
Culture, Ecology, Arts, Japan, USA

2 thoughts on “Building Without Nails, the Genius of Japanese Carpentry”

  1. Raj Arya says:
    November 12, 2015 at 11:29 am

    In India in recent times two Famous temples known as Akshar Dham are totally constructed without any metal attachment or nails made from any metal. According to Vast Shatra (Treatise on sacred architecture) no metal should be used in construction of temples , as that helps in promoting the thought and sentiments of Ahimsa (non -violence).

    Reply
    1. Anandajoti says:
      November 12, 2015 at 12:20 pm

      Dear Raj, thanks for that interesting comment. Where are the Akshar Dham temples situated?

      Reply

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