new york's japan society exhibits traditional japanese carpentry tools in set by sou fujimoto

new york’s japan society presents ‘when practice becomes form: carpentry tools from japan’, an exhibition showcasing woodworking tools, architectural patterns, and models reflecting joinery techniques that have been used for hundreds of years. the exhibition, which opened on march 11, on the tenth anniversary of the 2011 tohoku earthquake, celebrates the resilient spirit of japanese craftsmanship, as well as the enduring connection between traditional wooden construction and modern architecture. themes emerging from the show are introduced to visitors with a site-specific set design conceived by architect sou fujimoto, in collaboration with brooklyn-based popular architecture.all exhibition images © naho kubota, courtesy of japan society

all other images courtesy of takenaka carpentry tools museum unless stated otherwise

on until july 11 at japan society, ‘when practice becomes form: carpentry tools from japan’ explores the impact of techniques, tools, and forms from traditional practices in japanese carpentry. the exhibition, supported by takenaka carpentry tools museum, brings together a variety of hand tools, such as planes, chisels and saws, along with wooden models that reflect joinery techniques which have been used for hundreds of years to build japan’s wooden architectural masterpieces.

with a focus on the intangible qualities of craftsmanship, the exhibition lets visitors discover the knowledge and methodology developed by master carpenters (tōryō). extensive knowledge of the local environment and of wood as a material is integral to their processes, which have been handed down over generations. using natural resources and learning from their predecessors’ practices, they construct buildings with a refined methodology.

the site-specific exhibition design is conceived by architect sou fujimoto in collaboration with brooklyn-based popular architecture. the setting introduces major themes from the exhibition and is in dialogue with the gallery’s spaces, highlighting an enduring connection between traditional japanese wooden construction and modern architecture.

‘japan society has been a home of cultural exchange, and a meeting place of past and present. in this exhibition, traditional japanese craftsmanship is revealed in a new light by the design of contemporary architect sou fujimoto, and it becomes a precious educational opportunity to learn from this history,’ says yukie kamiya, japan society gallery director.