Miyajima Joinery with Hiroshi Yamaguchi

The Miyajima Pencase

Please note that there are three ways to take this course:

1. Single Day - 7 June: Japanese joints making workshop “Miyajima” (1-day workshop), $380
2. Two Days - 8-9 June: “Miyajima” pencil box making workshop (2-days workshop), $660
3. All three of the above days at a discount - 7-9 June (combined 3-days workshop), $990. Please add both classes to your cart to receive the discount.

About the Teacher
Hiroshi Yamaguchi is a furniture designer and maker based in Canberra. JTA regulars will be familiar with Hiroshi's work as he has been teaching annually in our workshop since 2018, and organised Yuji Kanesada's teaching trips to Australia. 

In Hiroshi’s practice, many of his works are inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry joinery. Hiroshi will talk about how he has adapted this traditional carpentry joinery into his furniture and craft works.

“Miyajima” is the theme of this long weekend worth of workshops. 

The first day learning involves making this traditional Japanese joint through Japanese furniture maker’s point of view.

The second and third days allow the students to make a unique pencil box inspired by “Miyajima” Joints. The pencil box design is very simple and slick, it will be your joy to own the design and bring it home.
You will be able to get a 5% discount by attending both workshops.

Details

Day 1: Japanese joint making workshop “Miyajima Tsugi” - 7 June

Miyajima-tsugi is a triple faced halved rabbeted scarf joint. The joints are meticulously crafted to fit together, ensuring both strength and aesthetic appeal. The technique is used to assemble furniture and other wooden items without nails using a wedge called “Shachi”.

The joint can be found in the famous Ikutsushima Shrine with its Torii gate in the ocean, and the joint is only found in the region in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The one day workshop will start with a short presentation by Hiroshi showing other joint samples and followed by hands-on workshop using Japanese chisels.

You will gain the following from signing up;

• A Miyajima joint sample made by yourself by hand.
• Hands-on Japanese saw, Japanese chisel and plane experience.
• Knowledge of Japanese traditional joineries.
   

Days 2 & 3: Miyajima pencil box making workshop (8 & 9 June)

Date - 8-9 July 2025
Time - 9:00-12:00 | 13:00-16:00 both days
* Please be flexible with your schedule after the class. Sometimes your project requires extra time to finish.

Making a Pencil / pen case, with inspiration from Miyajima-Tsugi joints.
Well suited for beginners.
Well suited for people who love Japanese carpentry joinery. 
Well suited for people who love beautiful craft.

Schedule
Day 1 
AM: Lecture, Miter cut
PM: Groove cut / Glue up
Day 2
AM: Finishing the inside of box, Glue base and lid, prepare stitching
PM: Stitching with cherry bark, finish sanding and oil

You will gain the following from signing up

• Miyajima Pencase, all made by yourself by hand.
• Hands-on Japanese saw, Japanese plane experience.
• Hands-on Japanese chisel experience with fine cutting and fitting
  

Lecturer - Hiroshi Yamaguchi (KOITOYA Design/Make/Teach)
30 years of experience. Trained in Takayama, Japan.

Class size - Maximum 12 students
  
Location - JTA HQ - 29 Production Ave, Kogarah NSW 2217
Call 02 9527 3870 | info@japanesetools.com.au
Please park your car in our driveways, which will fit 5 to 7 vehicles. 

About the Design and Designer 

The adaptation of the Miyajima-Tsugi to the box-lid form is the work of Masashi Kutsuwa in 2007. It won awards at the Takaoka Craft Competition in
2008. Masashi-san is an ex-colleague of Hiroshi's from his days teaching full-time in Gifu, Japan until 2012.

Masashi Kutsuwa is a professor of woodwork at Gifu Academy of Forest Science and Culture and the Representative Director of Ginowa (General incorporated association). We will be donating 5% of the sales to Ginowa Organization, to support Masashi's traditional craft conservation activities.
  
Things to bring
Please wear work shoes.
Bring your own water bottle.
  
Things that are supplied
All materials, tools for the class. Tea and coffee, snacks & lunch
  
Refund Policy
Personal cancelation
Refunds up to 14 days before the event
Administration fee of 20% is non-refundable in any case.

Orders over $200 ship FREE (Aus only).
We dispatch every weekday at 2pm.
Regular Postage: $12.50
Express Postage: $19.00
For timeframes or international addresses, click here.

Select In-Store Pickup at checkout to collect your order at 29 Production Ave, Kogarah 2217.
Store hours 10am-4pm Tues-Fri.

JTA stands behind the quality of our tools with warranty policies that exceed Australian consumer law. Read about them here.