Japanese Woodwork (WEEK 3): Chair (Danwa isu)

Ended - Wednesday 16 November 2022

Iwata Houraiya
Iwata Houraiya is an atelier specialising in the great Japanese wood craft traditions of cabinetmaking, lacquer, gilding and sculpting. Based in the historic Japanese city of Kyoto, it was founded in 1924 and today is owned by the third generation of the Houraiya family.
The atelier’s expert fine woodwork artisans are the guardians of heritage and tradition. Having handcrafted and restored many of Japan’s sacred Buddhist altars, in recent years they have started to form collaborations internationally to share their knowledge and skills with others.

Satoshi Ichihara
Master craftsman Satoshi Ichihara is the guardian of traditional woodworking techniques cultivated over 1,400 years. He practices under Iwata Houraiya, a company that produces and restores Buddhist altars, altar accessories and statues in addition to designing interior spaces for temples. Iwata Houraiya’s works are made to last for centuries, reflecting the skills of their artisans and recognizing the unique properties of each piece of wood used. Their activities also extend to the restoration and preservation of historical wooden pieces, ensuring that they will last for many more centuries to come.
Satoshi Ichihara became an apprentice to his father, a woodworker, at the age of 23. After committing to the quest of achieving true Japanese beauty through the medium of wood, he embarked on studies in Japanese culture and folklore, two important aspects to his practice,
At Iwata Houraiya studio, Satoshi Ichihara continues his journey of creating pieces with his own hands while incorporating a love for philosophy and science. He looks forward to seeing how his industry will embrace technology as it continues to evolve.

Schedule:

Date: 13, 14, 15, 16 November 2022

Time: 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Capacity:

0 spaces left

Location:

Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba

Fees:

AED 3,338.10 (+VAT)

Please note that fees are non-refundable.

Registration Deadline:

31 October 2022

For the first time in the UAE, explore ancient Japanese woodwork joinery with master craftsman Satoshi Ichihara of Iwata Houraiya Studio, Japan. Understand how to make intricate joints with precision by creating a ‘danwa isu’ chair without the need for screws, nails or glues.

During the 4-day afternoon course, Satoshi Ichihara will demonstrate the steps needed to create this multi-functional practical chair with wood using various processes; from choosing wood to enhancing its grain. Over a total of 16 hours, he will carefully guide individuals to apply the basics of Japanese joinery technique, ‘hozo-gumi’. Starting from the chair’s concept, Satoshi Ichihara will teach the participants how to measure for its parts and create a precise ‘hozo’, or mortise. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for woodworking techniques, you will take on ‘hozo-gumi’ (tenon joint) techniques as a tool that can be used in many other projects.

Join Iwata Houraiya woodwork master Satoshi Ichihara at Tashkeel to explore traditional joinery techniques that can be applied in myriad ways within contemporary visual art and design practices.


This course is suitable for woodwork beginner and intermediate levels. Participants should have some experience of operating machinery such as saws and sanders.

All materials included. Participants are required to wear appropriate clothing; no jewellery, open shoes or baggy clothes may be worn when working with power tools and long hair must be tied back.

*In registering for this workshop, each participant agrees to follow all precautionary measures to ensure their own safety throughout. Participants must be aware of general safety rules and issues associated with each piece of equipment that they may operate.*

Opening Hours

Tashkeel Alserkal
Gallery, Unit 26, FN Designs, Alserkal Avenue
Sun-Thu 10am – 7pm, Fri 9am–12pm
(closed Saturdays & public holidays).

Makerspace, Unit 89, Alserkal Avenue
Sat-Thu 10am – 7pm
(closed Fridays & public holidays).

Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba
Nad Al Sheba 1
Temporarily closed for renovation


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