Japanese Woodturning Tools

Japanese woodturners produce some works of art, crafted in wood.

Japanese woodturners, also called woodworkers, may build a large variety of items ranging from tiny toys for children to entire homes. Japanese woodturning tools were specifically designed to be easy to use -- these are the tools that allow a woodturning artist to express himself. Each Japanese woodturning tool is made for one specific purpose, but some tools may be used in more than one way.

Hand Plane

Hand planes, called Kanna in Japanese, are used to shave wood. Japanese hand planes are a vital tool for a carpenter because the Japanese carpenter prefers to use no sandpaper: The hand plane is used to smooth the wood and is able to produce paper-thin shavings. Hand planes may be used for projects such as building shoji screens. A Kanna is generally housed in a frame of wood and is in a rectangular box shape.

Hammers

Japanese woodturning hammers, called Mokuzuchi in Japanese, include a large family of tools. Hammers are constructed from materials ranging from brass or iron to wood and leather. Each hammer has a purpose, and is meant for use on a specific type of surface. For example, a carpenter working on a very soft type of wood is likely to use a leather hammer as opposed to a brass or iron one, since metals could damage the wood.

Chisel

The chisel, or Nomi in Japanese, is an extremely sharp tool that is designed for precise cutting, such as cutting wood joints. A woodturner may use a variety of differently sized chisels, each with its own unique cutting angle. Some Nomi are designed for use by hand while others, typically larger ones, are meant to be used in conjunction with a mallet.

Hand Saws

Japanese hand saws, called Nokogiri in Japanese, are used differently than hand saws in the Western world; Nokogiri make cuts on the pull stroke rather than the push stroke. Japanese hand saws are typically very sharp and may be used in a more precise method than Western saws are. These saws are made in a variety of sizes and are always handheld.

Waterstones

Japanese waterstones are used to sharpen tools such as saws and planes. Waterstones are made from very soft, yet highly abrasive, particles that fall away with each sharpening stroke, continually exposing new sharpening stone particles. Waterstones are made in three groups: Course grit stones for rapid metal removal, medium grit for honing the blade edges and finer grit stones for the final sharpening and polishing.

References

• Woodturns: Japanese Waterstones
• The Japanese Connection: Japanese Woordworking Tools
• Iida Tool: Woodworking Tools
• Sukiya Living Magazine: Japanese Woodworking Tools
• Sukiya Living Magazine: Making Japanese Tools