About this Blog

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Welcome. This blog aims to serve two purposes. First, it is a project diary of sorts. Second, I hope to provide some ideas, resources, and tips to others. It has been difficult to find information on Japanese style woodworking in English, so wherever I can I will put information out there with the desire that someone can use it, correct it, or add to it. 

I moved from California to the Kona area of Hawaii in 2020 - right before the covid lockdown. My blogging to a back seat to homesteading but it is my hope to get back to blogging once I resume a steady flow of furniture projects. Hopefully that will be soon. 

Handtools: 
Power tools have their place and I use them for milling. But my preference is to use hand tools and enjoy the process - without so much noise and dust. I use Western and Japanese hand tools depending on the wood and the task but sometimes I make my own tools. I inherited traditional American tools and have reclaimed them from "genuine antique" status to "serviceable" status. Travels in Japan long ago exposed me to that world of woodworking and toolmaking perfection and I have been trying to learn more about it ever since.


Kezurou-kai USA: 
From 2015-2018 I was working with the Kezurou-kai USA group to help build the organization and get their digital presence in order - so I did not have a lot of time to blog or woodwork. However, I have learned much from the members and leaders of Kezurou-kai USA. 

If you are getting started down the road of discovery about (mostly) Japanese woodworking, carpentry, furniture, handtools and toolmaking, I urge you to take a look at the Kez USA organization. Kez usually has a single main event per year, but we organize and promote smaller projects and lend our help to others who organize - or want to organize - a local event. Kezuroukai USA continues to build their membership across North America and they are an officially recognized chapter of Kezurou-kai Japan. 

Please take a look http://kezuroukai.us

Thanks for your interest.

Peter McAneny

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