The Genius of Japanese Carpentry: Secrets of an Ancient Craft

The Genius of Japanese Carpentry tells the story of the 1200-year-old Yakushiji monastery in Nara and the dedicated modern-day craftsmen who are working to restore what has been lost to the depredations of time, fire and warfare. Although the full monastery reconstruction will not be completed until 2030, one of the primary temples, the Picture Hall, has been wholly restored employing the same woodworking technology used to create the original building.

This new edition of an architectural classic is by Azby Brown—one of the world's leading experts on Japanese architecture. It contains a new preface and many new text materials and photographs—most of them now available in color for the first time. Azby Brown chronicles the painstaking restoration of the temple through extensive interviews with the carpenters and woodworkers along with original drawings based on the plans of master carpenter Tsunekazu Nishioka.

An inspiring testament to the dedication of these craftsmen and their philosophy of carpentry work as a form of personal fulfillment, The Genius of Japanese Carpentry offers detailed documentation of this singular project and a moving reminder of the unique cultural continuity found in Japan.

• The Complete Japanese Joinery
• Japanese Woodworking Tools: Their Tradition, Spirit and Use
• The Art Of Japanese Joinery
• Measure and Construction of the Japanese House
• Building the Japanese House Today
• The Joint Book: The Complete Guide to Wood Joinery
• Discovering Japanese Handplanes: Why This Traditional Tool Belongs in Your Modern Workshop
• The Care and Use of Japanese Woodworking Tools: Saws, Planes, Chisels, Marking Gauges, Stones
• Understanding Wood: A Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology
• Japanese Architecture: An Exploration of Elements & Forms