Nagoya Japan IAP

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leehljp

leehljp

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I had a guest visit yesterday - IAP member Kirk Franks from Maryland - along with one of his co-workers Fred Moore. We decided to call it the Nagoya IAP and request that free blank that goes gets sent IAP meetings! :wink:

We went to the Nagoya Castle, once part of Tokugawa's clan and castle holdings. Picture is below. I also took Kirk and Fred to a famous hobby store chain called Tokyu Hands. Somewhat like a Michaels or Hobby Lobby only more broader in hobby skope. We looked at some exotic woods, leathers, skins, casting material and pens.

We had a great time and Kirk brought me a beautiful segmented pen. Anyone else want to come? :biggrin:

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Fred, Kirk, Hank

(There was something different in the way this picture seemed to upload. I can see it fine but if you can't see the pict, please note it in a post. Thanks.)
 

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The 16 hours of plane ride (not including layover time) was a bit long , but it was certainly worth the trip. This might be my only attendance at the Local Nagoya Chapter, but then again if I ever get back this way I will be making contact.

It really was nice meeting Hank. I got to see one of his 30 pieces of silver pens and I must say that it is much nicer in person than the picture shows.

I am glad that this really is an International Association:)
 
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Hank, I would love visit! It's one of my places to go before I die. But, I imagine you'll be state side long before I'm able to make that trip...
 
Hank

As an honorary member of the Southeast IAP, you should have let me know that you were holding a satellite meeting! We could have sent you one of the Kallanshaw blanks for you guys! Wish I could have made it!

Thanks

Robert
 
I so do miss Japan. was there from 80-81 and then Okinawa 93-95. Beautiful places and so rich in culture. If anyone ever has the chance to go to Japan, they should jump at it. It is a truly an exciting place to visit.
 
It is amazing at just how much this group does live up to the "International". I would love to be there. I can think of so many things I would like to do. I don't think I would sleep for a week.

Hank, The difference in uploading your picture was the facial recognition software.
 
Isn't there a sacred forest in Japan. One where they have ceremonies when a tree has to be cut down to disease. They do this ornamental thing with the stump, there's major fines if you try to sneak wood out.... I can't remember what the deal is. I couldn't help but to think bad thoughts while I was learning of it...
 
You guys are a riot! It sure would have been good to have a larger meeting and All of you are welcome! Kirk had the honor of having his company pay for his flight though! A great perk! :biggrin:

Robert, I am kicking myself for not giving you advance notice! :biggrin: A

Skye,
There are some forests that are protected for the purpose of royalty related issues - such as if some famous landmark needs re-modeling or fixing up. Special wood is required and used that is not allowed to be used anywhere else. That is all that I have read. Information is out there but it is usually very technical - and I get a headache trying to make sense of special/technical mumbo jumbo Japanese.

Chris in Shizuoka could probably give more insight on that as he is around skilled/master woodworkers, who would probably have more knowledge of this.
 
Hey! Why didn't anyone call me? I'm just up the road ya know:frown::biggrin:

There are three forestry areas of special preservation for the "Tenno". One is down in Hank's "neck of the woods" in Ise and I can't recall where the other two are. Certainly taking any wood from these lands is a big no-no.

Not sure about the ceremonial stump...lol. Sounds possible as I have seen so many strange and wonderful rituals in my 15 years here. I do know It was common practice to perform a ritual before the cutting of any trees in the old days but by my sources it's doesn't exist much these days if at all.

Signed,

"Lonely in Izu"
 
Dear Lonely in Izu,
Go to the Tomei, take a left go west about 2 hours to Toyota IC; go past about 1 kilometer to the Parking area. I will meet you there and we will meet up with Kirk in Kyoto!

I sent them to the Nijo Castle with the nightingale floors! No sneaking up on anyone there!
(http://travel.ciao.co.uk/Nijo_Castle_Kyoto__Review_5614462) Read last paragraph. A woodworkers (flatwork) wonder!

Chris, thanks for your input on this forum. I appreciated your input on the lacquer (cashew and other) last week. I never have time to get into the thick of my hobby with Japanese groups. When I do, they speak a language I don't have a clue about. Some writings are like that too.

For instance - At the Nagoya castle, inside they had a "well" (ido) and the sign was in Japanese only. I could read most of the sign but the key purpose was a mystery. It was basically a wood tub like enclosure about 8 feet in diameters with 8 to 12 inch size rocks in the bottom and was kind of shallow. I have never seen one like that. I asked a Japanese lady and her husband what the purpose of that Ido was. Both of them read the sign and the woman read it out loud. She stopped twice and said "I don't know what that means"; both turned to me and said "Wakaranai". Fred and Kirk were waiting on me to tell them what that was about. I was kinda embarrassed to tell them that the Japanese people didn't have a clue either. :wink:

There is so much language disparity in the way country folks and master craftsmen talk - that city folks (and my teachers) do not know. when I go into hobby shops and even home centers, I can't get answers from most of them on the special techniques and products. It is good to have someone around to explain some of this to me! :biggrin:
 
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Hank, I'd love to come visit you and maybe I can let some Japanese folks practice their english (which is probably better than mine anyway) while talking about our big brother and our father:wink:.

Lol, problem is, there is an orphanage in Mexico that has my heart at the moment. I had planned to go back to see them this coming January, and take some woodworking equipment with me.

But, the Lord gave us a happy baby boy last month, and well, right now he and his mommy are THE MINISTRY for me, everything else takes a back seat unless a situation presents itself.

Maybe in a year I can muster the cash and get the teenage orphans a midi lathe and some tooling and get back to see them. This past Thanksgiving we smoked a turkey with mesquite, and the smell of the burning mesquite literally almost made me cry, I missed that one week I spent down there--- I could still see the inside of their homes with the small wood stove burning mesquite (and keeping the house more comfy than my brand new heat pump).

One day though, man, I'd love to come and hang out.
 
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