About the workshop
Kiso Lumber Industry Cooperative Association, Nagano Prefecture
Mr. Tagami's products are all handmade, from the selection of wood to the finishing touches. In particular, the base boards are made from a precious part of the wood known as "honmasu," which has a straight grain and is less likely to warp. Because each piece of sawara is unique, he finishes it without using machines, repeatedly "scraping and inspecting" with a plane, carefully assessing the wood's characteristics. This technique, which takes into account future shrinkage and distortion, was mastered after seven years of training under his strict father. The artisan's discerning eye and skill are poured into creating a beautiful tool from a log.
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