Japan

Living in Japan, I have had the fortune to have access to Japanese hand tools that were not available to me in Canada.
Shaping wooden hand planes to various contours of the guitar as I desire, I thus bring a higher degree of precision in shaping woods in my guitars without power tools or CNC.
For example, the arch of the back and top, the bracing that fits perfectly without stress, the fitting of end blocks, etc.
The steel is a pleasure to use. I enjoy using some of the old planes I have that are hand forged and bear the makers mark.

A short story illustrates one of my experiences in Japan.

In the first year, I found barriers and closed doors at every turn. Complete lack of interest in my work and experience.

Great frustration. Doing business here is not similar to what it is in the West.

One day, an amateur woodworker took me to a wood supplier, Watanabe Mokuzai, and introduced me as his helper. However, I had taken along some pictures of my work, and showed them to Mr. Watanabe.
A serious older man, he just nodded, and made no comment.

One year later, I went back to that place, with my wife and our young son. I wished to buy some wood for shelves, cheap wood or plywood, Really, I half expected to be turned away. Mr Watanabe just laughed and said for such as me there was no cheap wood.

He showed me a pile of wide strong and perfect fir boards, and said I should use good material. I cut these boards myself, from a big log, he said with pride. We left, I in some confusion. Next morning early, I hardly awake, there was a knock on the door, and a large truck outside.

Mr. Watanabe with his helper were pulling the boards I had seen off the truck, and last, a huge very thick plank of Japanese oak, so heavy it had to be levered. A very expensive pile of wood. Few words were spoken. The helper got into the truck, Mr Watanabe gave us an envelope at the door, and saying ” I hope Jim san can use this wood, I saved for him after the first time I met him. Hokkaido can use a man such as him “, he left. Inside the envelope, a one man yen note, 10,000 yen, and his wish of encouragement for us, our child, our life, and my work in Hokkaido.

He had decided all this the first time we met, and waited with patience and silence for the time to act!. Building instruments here is not always easy, but when I get impatient or upset about perceived unfairness or difficulty I remember Watanabe-san and a few people I have met who have also been kind and good.

They exemplify for me the good aspect of the Japanese people.

This post is also available in: Japanese