Traditional Japanese Wood Handicraft: Okawa, Fukuoka, Japan

Shaping wood and transforming them into decorative and working art pieces is what prides furniture artisans to continually hone their craft. In Okawa, Fukuoka, Japan, Tomoyuki Ichida of Sole Wood Products continues a rich history of wood craft in using furniture techniques of “Edo Sashimonoshi”, a traditional joint technique without using any nails, similar to how temples are built across Japan, ensuring durability and can be used for many years.

Tomoyuki was born into a carpenter’s family that has continued for generations and has been familiar with woods since he was a child. He has worked for a major furniture company, that provided high-end furniture and custom-made furniture for the Parliament Building, the Supreme Court, the Imperial family. Now located in Okawa City, an area known for furniture making, he is part of the woodworking community that shares their passion of creating wood art from scratch to the world.