The Genius of Japanese Carpentry: Secrets of an Ancient Woodworking Craft Hardcover – January 7, 2014

Not much info on cutting joints.

I am not a carpenter by trade, though I have worked in construction. My father, however, was a carpenter.I always found the concepts and rules of constructing buildings to be fascinating. A hardly, practical application of the physical sciences is necessary for the creation of buildings that stand the test of time. From that perspective, I have found traditional Japanese carpentry to straddle the line between science and art. The intricacies of their woodworking techniques are not well understood in the west.This book was a pleasant glance into the practice of dedicated tradesmen from another land. I got to see some examples of joinery, and also the training and attitudes of the craftsmen. This was well worth the read and the asking price.

Great book on the building philosophy, selection of materials and historical notes of building a traditional shinto temple. Not really an instruction manual on how carpentry. I was looking for a book to show me the in's and out's of wood working, but this is not really that book. It does go into detail on how to select the wood and why. It also has super great pictures on the actual temple itself.

Right from the first page the reader is transported into the life of the master builder. A clear departure from Western architecture, where design is the inspiration of an individual, Japanese tradition follows rules created by the forest; the way trees grow their strengths and the specific use for each material. Azby's personal journey through the difficult and demanding world of the apprentice woodworker allows the reader a unique view of the culture of wood going back to ancient times. Well worth keeping and sharing.Karl Bareis - custom builder

Not a 'how to' book at all. Ordinary carpenters may be mystified by it. Excellent at conveying the spirit and sophistication of the high level temple woodworkers of Japan. Well worth the time to both read and contemplate the history and tradition that inform and support the elegance of traditional building arts in Japan written by a long-term resident (Japan) American architect.

great pictures, good information.

Literally the first half of this book is about the buildings - the Japanese religious shrines and temples. Only a small bit of this book is about woodworking. I could have done without it.

An excellent book. The author is able to capture the spirit of Japanese carpentry. I to was able to apprentice under a daiku. A bit on usual I admit but probably the best teacher I ever had

bought this as a keepsake as I had already ready this on kindle, while in Japan at some of the sites mentioned, an excellent book for Woodworking Japanophiles

Very interesting book for the specialist reader

Exhalant book for the discovery of Japanese temple joinery and its history

great book!More of a cultural history than a how to book

Excellent lots of info.