Wood and Traditional Woodworking in Japan [Second Edition]

Wood and Traditional Woodworking in Japan is a detailed digital study of Japanese wood culture, written by Mechtild Mertz. This PDF edition offers instant download access to the second edition of a work based on interviews with traditional craftsmen. It explores the materials, techniques, and symbolic properties of wood as understood by Japanese woodworkers.

This edition includes the first-ever multi-lingual glossary of woodworking terms and an appendix of Japanese timber names. It is a reference for woodworkers, art historians, ethnobotanists, archaeologists, and general readers interested in Japan’s wood culture.

Book Overview

Mechtild Mertz, an ethnobotanist and wood anatomist, draws on in-depth interviews with craftsmen specialized in various fields of traditional woodworking. The study examines the materials used, techniques, nomenclature, aesthetics, and culture prevailing in different fields of woodcraft. Both the technical and the symbolic properties of Japanese wood become apparent from the craftsmen’s perspective.

The second edition was published in 2016 by Kaiseisha Press, Japan. The first edition appeared in 2011. The digital PDF format preserves the book’s photographs and table details for study and reference.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Interviews with traditional Japanese craftsmen and their working methods
• Descriptions of wood species and grain patterns such as kujaku, tama, chijimi, and torafu
• A first-ever multi-lingual glossary of woodworking terms
• An appendix of Japanese timber names
• Photographs of tools, timber, and finished objects taken by the author and contributors
• Insight into the aesthetics and culture of Japanese woodcraft

Why This Book Matters

Written sources on the practical aspects of traditional Japanese woodcraft are scarce. This study addresses that gap by collecting knowledge directly from craftsmen. It offers new tools for research by art historians, ethnobotanists, archaeologists, and Japanologists. The book also connects with an academic trend in Japan focused on wood in all its aspects.

“Mertz has done an outstanding job of collating an enormous amount of data into a concise and clean format.” — Douglas Woodruff, Kyoto Journal

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download. No physical item will be shipped. Access is available immediately after purchase.

The PDF works with Kindle apps, tablets, desktop readers, mobile devices, and other compatible reading applications. You can read it on the device of your choice.

FAQ

When will I receive access? Access is available immediately after purchase for instant download.

Will a physical copy be shipped? No. This is a digital PDF product; no physical book or shipping is involved.

Which devices are supported? The PDF can be opened in Kindle apps, tablet readers, desktop software, and mobile reading apps.

Add Wood and Traditional Woodworking in Japan to your collection and keep this reference close at hand for study, practice, and appreciation of Japanese wood culture.

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