1. Furniture Studio Moku

“I like bent trees because they have the heart of the tree.”

This very impressive and memorabe words are from Mr. Watanabe, the representative, written on the cover of the pamphlet of Furniture Studio Moku.

Through this experience and interviews, I realized that these words were born because of Mr. Watanabe, who values the “charm of hardwood” that is not found in industrial materials.

It was about 30 years ago that Mr. Watanabe opened Furniture Studio Moku after training in Yamanashi.

All the woodworking process, from raw wood procurement and drying to design and sales, is done is done by the staff of the studio.

The furniture made by Mr. Watanabe mainly uses hardwood from Yamagata prefecture, and one of the attractions is that the more you use it, the deeper the taste of the furniture.

Taking advantage of the “characteristics of each individual piece” such as hardness and smoothness of the same tree species as well as different tree species, all the funiture made is unique.

This time, I tried the three activities offered by the workshop to make woodcraft: (1) pendant, (2) wall-mounted single-wheel insert, and (3) cutting board (^-^)

2. Woodworking activity

Here are three woodworking activities.

(1) Wooden pendant (2) Wall-mounted single-wheel insert (3) Cutting board

Even beginners can easily enjoy it.

① Wooden pendant

The first experience is making a wooden pendant!

However, I don’t know what to start with (^^;)

Rest assured!

Mr. Watanabe will set an example firmly (^-^)

First of all, I made a piece of wood that will be a pendant, but the method is wilder than I expected!

Put a chisel (only) on the wood and hit a piece of wood with a hammer while tapping “Kan! Kan!”.

Looking at Mr. Watanabe’s example, I will try it immediately!

“Poko…”

What’s that? Nothing happens…

“Boko…!”

It seems to be stronger than I expected, and I’m not afraid (^^;)

With the advice that “It’s okay to hit it fairly strongly,” I will try to hit it with all my strength while receiving the help of Mr. Watanabe!

It broke!

It feels good when the wood separate from each other with the sound of “Paki!” (^-^)

The subsequent process is very easy!

Drill a hole for the string to pass through,

If you smooth the surface…

Done!

You can adjust the smoothness of the surface to your liking through sand paper.

I like the texture and feel of wood, so I made the surface with a coarse touch and the corners to be slightly rounded.

You can use it as a key chain through a ring or as a pendant through a string as shown in the picture above.

This is also quite good (≧-≦)

It seems to be useful as an accent for reserved stayles and colored clothes!

I thought, but maybe it tickled the boys’ hearts of the children, it was taken within the day (^^;)

Every time I go out, they have a fight with each other.

By the way, this pendant was made of walnut tree.

As time goes by, the color will change over time, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it will be finished (^-^)

It seems that the adjustment part of the string on the pendant is a rare tree called Raijin-boku.

It is a recommended experience that even small children can easily touch the tree because it can be done easily in a short time.

② Wall-mounted single-wheel insert

Next is a wall-mounted single-wheel insert that is recommended for a location such as the entrance of a house.

This is also an activity that even beginners and small children can easily work on by selecting parts and assembling them (^-^)

First of all, select the parts of the pillarthat will be the axis!

From the right, oak, cherry tree, walnut tree, and chestnut tree.

When arranged in this way, each material has its own characteristics in both color and texture.

This time I chose the cherry tree that I personally liked (^-^)

Next, select two parts that will support the one-wheel insertion!

Again, you can choose from multiple tree varieties.

It was also a fun time to think about changing the color of the pillars and matching the colors with the pillars (^-^)

This time, we decided to use walnut, which is a little lighter in color than the pillars!

After selecting the parts, we will start the work.

However, the process is very easy!

Gradually file it so that the parts that support the single-wheel insert fit into the pillar.

The trick is not to fit the supporting parts into the dents of the pillars, but to finish them so that they get caught a little.

By hitting it with a hammer and fitting it in, it was firmly fixed to the pillar.

Finally, attach a string and put a glass bottle to complete it!

It’s a simple design, so it fits in any room or flower (^-^)

③ Cutting board

Finally the last work!

Let’s start making a cutting board!

As with the one-wheel insert, first select the wood varieties.

From the right, there are two chestnut varieties, castor aralia, and Japanese lime.

This time, I will choose from these three wood materials.
* The materials will vary depending on stock, etc.

I chose the castor aralia (third from the right) since I liked the grain of the wood (^-^).

The rough flow is (1) determining the size to cut, (2) cutting with a circular saw, and (3) filing.

Let’s go!

First of all, work ①.

Decide the size to cut while consulting with your dominant hand and taste.

Mr. Watanabe will give you some advice, so please feel free to consult with him (^-^)

Place the pattern on the selected wood material.

Make a draft for cutting with a pencil.

It’s finally time to enter the most difficult section today!

How many years has it been since I used an electric jigsaw?

No, it’s been decades since I thought about it…

I’m afraid of this strange tension lol

But don’t worry!

You can get advice and tips before starting the work (^-^)

Practice a little on the margin of the board before the main performance…

“Keep going at a constant speed without stopping,” says Mr. Watanabe.

Curves need some tricks, but with Mr. Watanabe’s support, I feel like I’ll be able to do something about it!

I already tried a lot of activities like  “Tendo’s shogi carving piece“ , “Ceramic art at Yamadera”, and “Making lights with Gassan Japanese paper “ .
* Click the text to link to the experience article

I have learned a lot through these!

“Momentum is important!”

With that said, it’s time to start the work!

If you do not press the board firmly, the vibration of the jigsaw will cause it to rattle, so be careful.

After all the curve is difficult!

With the help of Mr. Watanabe, we will proceed little by little.

I managed to complete it!

It turned out not so bad (^ 0 ^)

Somehow, it was easier than it looked, and Mr. Watanabe says that people who usually handle sewing machines can handle it relatively smoothly.

I noticed when I was told!

It’s close to the feeling of making kindergarten goods for children!

I didn’t think it would be useful here (^-^)

Make a hole for the string to pass through, sand the finish,

Done!

You can put letters and illustrations in each work with a heat pen.

This time I tried to put an experience day in commemoration.

3. Wooden furniture gallery

After the workshops I visited the Wooden Furniture Gallery where the works of Furniture Studio Moku are lined up.

The building is on the same site, but I was amazed at this sight even before I entered!

The gallery was in a warehouse with a history of 120 years.

By the way, please note that shoes are strictly prohibited inside.

Here, you can not only observe the works created by Mr. Watanabe, but also purchase any ones you like (^-^).

Here is the view from the entrance of the warehouse.

Expectations are rising for woodwork products that are lined up with fragrant wood scents from the moment they pass through (^-^)

There are cute accessories near the entrance.

Why do wooden products make you feel so relaxed?

You can feel happy just by looking at it (^-^)

If you go to the back, you will find more furniture and accessories that Mr. Watanabe brought to life!

I would like to introduce you some!

① Mistletoe

You can watch it as an object, use it as a coaster or a pot, or use it as a wine stand. This mistletoe (on the front right in the photo) can be used more widely.

It is also recommended for camping and outdoor use.

② Cutting board

A work in which the handle is manually shaved with a knife to make it easy to hold and non-slippery.

You can feel the warmth and familiarity that is not found in the mechanical process-made ones.

You can also put cheese or bread on it and use it as a slightly fashionable plate.

③ Wooden furniture

The best thing to see is the wooden furniture!

Even if I am an amateur, I can feel the soul of Mr. Watanabe, such as the politeness, texture and design of the structure.

I also decided to do my best so that Mr. Watanabe could make custom furniture someday (^ 0 ^)

This chair is cute again (≧-≦)

It’s a perfect gift for children and grandchildren.

Mr. Watanabe’s work can also be purchased at the gura craft shop in Hatagomachi, Yamagata City.

This (pictured below) is a one-wheeled insert called “Yamagataki’s” sold at the souvenir shop Shobido on the 2nd floor of the Yamagata Station Building S-PAL Yamagata.

You can also remove the glass bottle inside and put a photo or postcard in the groove of the cross at the top to decorate it.

There are many variations of wood materials, and the color, grain, texture and smell differ depending on it.

It seems that you can feel the difference between each tree and want to spread its goodness (^-^)

Please come and visit!

4. Click here for Activities

5. Message

Finally, we received a message from Mr. Watanabe, the owner, to everyone who viewed VISIT YAMAGATA.

“At our workshop, we use wood from Yamagata prefecture and make each piece by hand with all our heart.

Even the same tree species have different textures and grain.

I hope you can experience the difference while enjoying it. “