Japanese woodworking :: Curriculum

Cabinetmaking Model

This unit will focus on Japanese joinery and the tools that are used.

The students will be able to tell the difference between Western and Japanese cutting styles.
The students will be able to identify the most common hand tools used in Japan.
The students will be gain an appreciation of the tools other countries have invented..

Post and Beam joint animated - Hooks / Set
The teacher will pass around samples of interlocking Japanese wood joints. and show an animated video clip on a mortise and tendon joint. Teacher needs to pre-make samples.
- Japan post and beam animated [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] null
Japan overview - Lecture
This presentation is to introduce the student to Japanese woodworking. It is a PowerPoint with teaching aides. Each PowerPoint slide has short notes (go to view/note page in power point viewer) that will help the teacher present the slides.

Also included is a word document with a lot of additional information on the topic for additional reading. This info is more for the teacher that does not have knowledge in Japanese wood working. It is not meant to be presented to the students in a lecture mode. The teacher will show samples of saws, chisels, and planes while running the power point. The teacher will also pass out the worksheet at the beginning of the presentation.
- Japanese wood [ Download ] null
- worksheet [ Download ] null
- lecture notes [ Download ] null
- saw pdf [ Download ] null
Shop demo - Demo / Modeling
Teacher may choose to take the students out and show a demonstration on basic Japanese joints. The teacher needs to demo the proper use of the tools and safety corresponding with it.
Check for understanding - Assessment
Teacher will go over answers of the worksheet with the students at the end of the presentation.