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

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

 

 

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

 

 

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.

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

when-practice-becomes-form-carpentry-tools-from-japan-japan-society-new-york-sou-fujimoto-designboom-large

interlocking parts for model of engaku-ji temple shariden interlocking bracket complex, 2019 hinoki cypress, courtesy of ikaruga-kōsha

new york's japan society exhibits traditional japanese carpentry tools in set by sou fujimotointerlocking parts for model of engaku-ji temple shariden interlocking bracket complex, 2019 hinoki cypress, courtesy of ikaruga-kōsha

new york's japan society exhibits traditional japanese carpentry tools in set by sou fujimotoclose-up of full scale model of engaku-ji temple shariden interlocking bracket complex, 2019 hinoki cypress, courtesy of ikaruga-kōsha

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japanese carpentry toolsmeasuring tools

new york's japan society exhibits traditional japanese carpentry tools in set by sou fujimotowide-blade rip saw (​maebiki-oga​)

japanese carpentry toolsselection of broadaxes and felling/lumberjack’s axes, c. 20th century

new york's japan society exhibits traditional japanese carpentry tools in set by sou fujimotowide-blade rip saw (​maebiki-oga​), angle type

when-practice-becomes-form-carpentry-tools-from-japan-japan-society-new-york-sou-fujimoto-designboom-large3

standard set of tools, installation view at the takenaka carpentry tools museum, kobe, japan

new york's japan society exhibits traditional japanese carpentry tools in set by sou fujimoto
portrait of master carpenter (​toryo​) tsunekazu nishioka of nara

 

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exhibition info:

 

name: when practice becomes form: carpentry tools from japan

organizer: japan society in collaboration with takenaka carpentry tools museum

exhibition design: sou fujimoto, in collaboration with popular architecture as local architect

duration: march 11 – july 11, 2021

location: 333 east 47th street new york, NY 10017, US

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