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 took 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" 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 they organize and promote smaller projects and lend their 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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