Mokuchi Studio Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:40:36 -0700 http://mokuchiwoodworking.com en-us © 2026 Mokuchi Studio yes 28d12012-8b8b-5e82-b471-7c5b6b4fefa7 Yann Giguere episodic false A podcast centered on Japanese woodworking and related topics including: Japanese gardens, Books, Crafts, Tools, Design and Philosophy.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Japanese woodworking, Japanese craft, Japanese design, Japanese carpentry, Japanese woodworking tools, Japanese timber framing, Japanese gardens Yann Giguere https://storage.buzzsprout.com/sk8p81nqk0covmivhoe86c00dr1f?.jpg Mokuchi Studio http://mokuchiwoodworking.com Episode 18, Toda Komuten & Kominka Collective Episode 18, Toda Komuten & Kominka Collective In this Episode, Andrea Carlson of Kominka Collective and Koji Toda of Toda Komuten share their passion for Kominkas. Preserving, appreciating and relocating them.

We discuss many aspects of the current situation in Japan of the multitude of vacant Kominkas and their too often faith of demolition.

Kominka Collective: Instagram and Facebook

Toda Komuten:  Instagram and Facebook

Toda Sanchi: Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Andrea Carlson of Kominka Collective and Koji Toda of Toda Komuten share their passion for Kominkas. Preserving, appreciating and relocating them.

We discuss many aspects of the current situation in Japan of the multitude of vacant Kominkas and their too often faith of demolition.

Kominka Collective: Instagram and Facebook

Toda Komuten:  Instagram and Facebook

Toda Sanchi: Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> My Recording Buzzsprout-19296633 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0700 7472 Minka, Japanese Minka, Kominka, Kominka Collective, Toda Komuten, Traditional Japanese houses, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 2026, MJWF 2026 1 18 full false Episode 17, Part 2: Pierre Nadeau Episode 17, Part 2: Pierre Nadeau In this Episode, French Canadian, Pierre Nadeau of Soulsmithing.com shares about his journey into Japanese Traditional Swordsmithing. He is one of only three westerners to have ever apprenticed at length with a Japanese Swordsmith. We talk about the process of entering apprenticeship, being and apprentice and living in Nihon.

Part 2 includes some in depth about the smithy, the forge setup as well as lots of personal reflections on the craft process as a whole. We get even more personal than in part 1.

To see what Pierre is up to follow him on Instagram @soulsmithing and or check out his YouTube Channel Soulsmithing

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, French Canadian, Pierre Nadeau of Soulsmithing.com shares about his journey into Japanese Traditional Swordsmithing. He is one of only three westerners to have ever apprenticed at length with a Japanese Swordsmith. We talk about the process of entering apprenticeship, being and apprentice and living in Nihon.

Part 2 includes some in depth about the smithy, the forge setup as well as lots of personal reflections on the craft process as a whole. We get even more personal than in part 1.

To see what Pierre is up to follow him on Instagram @soulsmithing and or check out his YouTube Channel Soulsmithing

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-18927194 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:00:00 -0700 6364 Japanese Blacksmithing, Pierre Nadeau, Swordsmith, Soulsmithing, 2026 MJWF 1 17 full false Episode 17, Part 1: Pierre Nadeau Episode 17, Part 1: Pierre Nadeau In this Episode, French Canadian, Pierre Nadeau of Soulsmithing.com shares about his journey into Japanese Traditional Swordsmithing. He is one of only three westerners to have ever apprenticed at length with a Japanese Swordsmith. We talk about the process of entering apprenticeship, being and apprentice and living in Nihon.

Part 1 concludes on the topic of nearing completion of his smithy in Quebec.

To see what Pierre is up to follow him on Instagram @soulsmithing and or check out his YouTube Channel Soulsmithing

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, French Canadian, Pierre Nadeau of Soulsmithing.com shares about his journey into Japanese Traditional Swordsmithing. He is one of only three westerners to have ever apprenticed at length with a Japanese Swordsmith. We talk about the process of entering apprenticeship, being and apprentice and living in Nihon.

Part 1 concludes on the topic of nearing completion of his smithy in Quebec.

To see what Pierre is up to follow him on Instagram @soulsmithing and or check out his YouTube Channel Soulsmithing

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-18904423 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0700 4169 Japanese Blacksmithing, Pierre Nadeau, Swordsmith, Soulsmithing, 2026 MJWF 1 17 full false Episode 16: Dave Burnard Episode 16: Dave Burnard In this Episode, Dave Burnard, Oregonian blacksmith in the Japanese tradition, shares his journey into Japanese woodworking and the smithing of tools.

We do talk about steel quite a bit and of course astrophysics!

To see some of what Dave is up to, you can find him on Instagram at: @gaijin_kajiya or on Facebook

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Dave Burnard, Oregonian blacksmith in the Japanese tradition, shares his journey into Japanese woodworking and the smithing of tools.

We do talk about steel quite a bit and of course astrophysics!

To see some of what Dave is up to, you can find him on Instagram at: @gaijin_kajiya or on Facebook

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-18007583 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0700 7423 Japanese Woodworking, Japanese Blacksmithing, Dave Burnard, National KEZ El Cerrito California, Gaijin Kajiya, Blacksmithing, 1 16 full false Episode 15: Andrew Ren Episode 15: Andrew Ren In this Episode, Andrew Ren, Kezurou Kai champion from Ottawa Canada, shares his journey into the world of Japanese hand planing competition. We talk about using a standard carpentry kanna/Japanese plane and using a wide plane.  We also touch on different plane making blacksmith, photography and of course sharpening!

You can see what Andrew is up too on Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Andrew Ren, Kezurou Kai champion from Ottawa Canada, shares his journey into the world of Japanese hand planing competition. We talk about using a standard carpentry kanna/Japanese plane and using a wide plane.  We also touch on different plane making blacksmith, photography and of course sharpening!

You can see what Andrew is up too on Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-17497865 Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:00:00 -0700 4336 Andrew Ren, Kanata Tools, Kezurou Kai, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 2025 1 15 full false Episode 14: John Reed Fox Episode 14: John Reed Fox In this Episode, John Reed Fox, long time furniture maker using Japanese hand tools, shares his journey into furniture making, craft and  the Japanese hand tool. 

We also talk about aesthetics, early influences, design and the physical learning of the craft.

To see John's elegant work visit: johnreedfox.com

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, John Reed Fox, long time furniture maker using Japanese hand tools, shares his journey into furniture making, craft and  the Japanese hand tool. 

We also talk about aesthetics, early influences, design and the physical learning of the craft.

To see John's elegant work visit: johnreedfox.com

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-17394828 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 21:00:00 -0700 6035 Japanese Woodworking Hand Tools, John Reed Fox, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 2025 1 14 full false Episode 13: Douglas Brooks Episode 13: Douglas Brooks In this Episode, Douglas Brooks, Boat Builder, Writer and Researcher, shares his journey into Japanese woodworking along with his unique perspective on apprenticing with several Japanese boat builders.

To find out more about his work, books and classes visit is website  Douglas Brooks Boatbuilding  

See what Douglas is up to on Instagram @douglasbrooksboatbuilding

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Douglas Brooks, Boat Builder, Writer and Researcher, shares his journey into Japanese woodworking along with his unique perspective on apprenticing with several Japanese boat builders.

To find out more about his work, books and classes visit is website  Douglas Brooks Boatbuilding  

See what Douglas is up to on Instagram @douglasbrooksboatbuilding

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-17220448 Sat, 24 May 2025 13:00:00 -0700 4638 Japanese woodworking, Douglas Brooks, Boat Building, Maine Japanese Woodworking festival, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 2025, 1 13 full false Episode 12: Dorian Bracht Episode 12: Dorian Bracht In this Episode, Dorian Bracht of Berlin Germany, shares about his journey into Japanese woodworking, his passion for joinery and his love for wood. We also discuss his recently released book!
You can follow his process on Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Dorian Bracht of Berlin Germany, shares about his journey into Japanese woodworking, his passion for joinery and his love for wood. We also discuss his recently released book!
You can follow his process on Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yann Giguere Buzzsprout-16908978 Sat, 05 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0700 2734 Japanese woodworking, Dorian Bracht, Maine Japanese Woodworking festival, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 2025, 1 12 full false Episode 11: Paul Tuller Episode 11: Paul Tuller In this Episode, Paul Tuller of Dublin NH, shares about his journey into Japanese woodworking, his passion for hand tools and his love for wood.
You can follow his process on Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Paul Tuller of Dublin NH, shares about his journey into Japanese woodworking, his passion for hand tools and his love for wood.
You can follow his process on Instagram 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Paul Tuller Buzzsprout-15736336 Wed, 11 Sep 2024 22:00:00 -0700 5547 Japanese woodworking, Paul Tuller, Japanese House in NH, National KEZ Kingston NY 2024, 1 11 full false Episode 10: Yamamoto Kohei Episode 10: Yamamoto Kohei In this Episode, Yamamoto Kohei, Japanese carpenter and founder of SomaKosha a carpentry firm specializing in traditional work while including hand hewn elements, shares with us his journey into Japanese woodworking.
You can follow what Yama san (short for Yamamoto) is up to in a more casual way on Instagram @ YMTKHI 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Yamamoto Kohei, Japanese carpenter and founder of SomaKosha a carpentry firm specializing in traditional work while including hand hewn elements, shares with us his journey into Japanese woodworking.
You can follow what Yama san (short for Yamamoto) is up to in a more casual way on Instagram @ YMTKHI 

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Yamamoto Kohei Buzzsprout-15433361 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0700 4203 #Japanese Woodworking, #SomaKosha, #Yamamoto Kohei, #Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 1 10 full false Episode 9: Matt Connorton Episode 9: Matt Connorton In this Marathon of an Episode Matt Connorton of Matthew Connorton Joinery shares his journey into Japanese woodworking spanning over four decades.
We also get into the subtleties of motorcycle racing!

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Marathon of an Episode Matt Connorton of Matthew Connorton Joinery shares his journey into Japanese woodworking spanning over four decades.
We also get into the subtleties of motorcycle racing!

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> Matt Connorton Buzzsprout-15426819 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:00:00 -0700 8381 #Matt Connorton, #Matthew Connorton Joinery, #Japanese woodworking, #Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 1 9 full false Episode 8: Wilbur Pan Episode 8: Wilbur Pan In this Episode, Wilbur Pan of Giant Cypress Blog shares his passion for understanding why Japanese hand tools are so great and his journey into their world.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Wilbur Pan of Giant Cypress Blog shares his passion for understanding why Japanese hand tools are so great and his journey into their world.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Wilbur Pan Buzzsprout-15153428 Thu, 30 May 2024 13:00:00 -0700 4437 Japanese Woodworking Hand Tools, Wilbur Pan, Giant Cypress, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival, 1 8 full false Episode 7: Jon Billing Episode 7: Jon Billing In this Episode, Jon Billing of Big Sand Woodworking, originally from Minnesota and now based in Tokyo Japan, shares his journey leading him to be a professional woodworker using Japanese tools.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Jon Billing of Big Sand Woodworking, originally from Minnesota and now based in Tokyo Japan, shares his journey leading him to be a professional woodworker using Japanese tools.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Jon Billing Buzzsprout-14955533 Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0700 5800 Japanese woodworking, Jon Billing, Big Sand Woodworking, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 1 7 full false Episode 6: Will O'Connor Episode 6: Will O'Connor In this Episode, Will O'Connor of Make Good Traditional Handcrafts in Brooklyn NY shares the various phases of his creative journey leading him to woodworking fulltime using mostly Japanese hand tools.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Will O'Connor of Make Good Traditional Handcrafts in Brooklyn NY shares the various phases of his creative journey leading him to woodworking fulltime using mostly Japanese hand tools.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Will O'Connor Buzzsprout-13580303 Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:00:00 -0700 5139 Japanese woodworking hand tools, Will O'Connor, Make Good Traditional Handcrafts, Brooklyn NY, woodworking classes 1 6 full false Episode 5: Toby Hargreaves Episode 5: Toby Hargreaves In this Episode, Toby Hargreaves of Bonny Doon Timberframes speaks of his background, interests and journey leading him to Japanese carpentry.

You can also see what Toby is up to on Instagram

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Toby Hargreaves of Bonny Doon Timberframes speaks of his background, interests and journey leading him to Japanese carpentry.

You can also see what Toby is up to on Instagram

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Toby Hargreaves Buzzsprout-13558688 Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:00:00 -0700 3838 Japanese woodworking, Toby Hargreaves, Valley Timber Frames, Japanese carpentry, El Cerrito KEZ 2023 1 5 full false Episode 4: Jim Blauvelt Episode 4: Jim Blauvelt In this Episode, Jim Blauvelt of Bluefield Joiners in Taftville CT, shares with us his woodworking journey leading to Japanese tools and woodworking. You can see what Jim is up to on Instagram at: Jim Blauvelt .

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Jim Blauvelt of Bluefield Joiners in Taftville CT, shares with us his woodworking journey leading to Japanese tools and woodworking. You can see what Jim is up to on Instagram at: Jim Blauvelt .

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Jim Blauvelt Buzzsprout-13228412 Sat, 15 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0700 3750 Japanese Woodworking, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival, Jim Blauvelt, Bluefield Joiners, 1 4 full false Episode 3: Brian Holcombe Episode 3: Brian Holcombe In this Episode, Brian Holcombe of  Brian Holcombe Woodworker, tells us about his journey leading to Japanese woodworking and some thoughts about his process using hand tools and machines.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Brian Holcombe of  Brian Holcombe Woodworker, tells us about his journey leading to Japanese woodworking and some thoughts about his process using hand tools and machines.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Brian Holcombe Buzzsprout-13200173 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 23:00:00 -0700 6924 Japanese Woodworking, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival, Brian Holcombe, BrianHolcombeWoodworker, @bp.holcombe 1 3 full false Episode 2: Jeff Bearce Episode 2: Jeff Bearce In this Episode, Jeff Bearce of 3 Sticks Design, tells us about his journey leading to Japanese woodworking and some thoughts about the evolution of the status of the artisan. To read more go to Jeff's blog Knowing Hands.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Jeff Bearce of 3 Sticks Design, tells us about his journey leading to Japanese woodworking and some thoughts about the evolution of the status of the artisan. To read more go to Jeff's blog Knowing Hands.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Jeff Bearce Buzzsprout-12770826 Wed, 03 May 2023 10:00:00 -0700 4466 Japanese woodworking, 3 Sticks Design, Jeff Bearce, Knowinghands, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 1 2 full false Episode 1: Jason Fox Episode 1: Jason Fox In this Episode, Jason Fox of Never Stop Building tells us about his journey leading to Japanese woodworking and hosting of the Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> In this Episode, Jason Fox of Never Stop Building tells us about his journey leading to Japanese woodworking and hosting of the Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival.

To stay up to date with Mokuchi Studio happenings follow us on Instagram @mokuchistudio  and sign up for the Mokuchi Studio newsletter at mokuchiwoodworking.com

]]> https://www.mokuchiwoodworking.com/ Jason Fox Buzzsprout-12670586 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:00:00 -0700 3518 Japanese woodworking, Never Stop Building, Jason Fox, Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival 1 1 full false