The Picture Hall, at the Yakushiji temple complex

Here is part two of our book review and giveaway series, in collaboration with Tuttle Publishing. In this post, you’ll find my review of Azby Brown’s The Genius of Japanese Carpentry, and details for how you can enter to win your own copy. This is an engrossing book about traditional temple construction in Japan. Read ahead and enter!

The Genius of Japanese Carpentry Book Review

The Yakushiji West Pagoda

There’s a lot of mystique surrounding Japanese carpentry and temple construction, and for good reason. Little has been thoroughly documented about the craft of timber construction in Japan (for an English-speaking audience, in particular), especially of the renowned temples, at least one of which can claim an almost unreal lifetime of over 1,000 years. This is truly disappointing, as it seems unlikely we will ever see the skill, scale, and grandeur represented by these temples ever again, unless those still standing are well-preserved and maintained. Thankfully, Azby Brown dives into the world of temple building in his book The Genius of Japanese Carpentry, first published in 1989, and nicely updated for a 2013 edition with new photos and details.

This colorful book is primarily concerned with master carpenter Tsunekazu Nishioka, and the work he performed during the final years of his life at the Yakushiji temple complex, and in particular The Picture Hall: a dizzying, complex, and stunning building intricately documented through a series of drawings and photos.

Master Tsunekazu Nishioka

There are several fascinating layers to the book itself — for one, the simple fact that Brown himself was given permission to follow the construction so closely (especially being a foreigner and outsider). Nishioka is presented often as a enigmatic master, totally steeped in tradition and often belittling his own skill compared to that of his ancestors, strict and unwavering, yet also generous. The whole of temple construction is documented nicely, but ultimately this is but a small window into that world full of tradition, teachings, and at a fascinating intersection of religion, craft, art, labor, and time.

My main impression throughout reading this book has been one of head shaking and disbelief, and sheer amazement at the ingenuity of Japanese carpenters current and old. (Hence the book title itself, I guess.) I cannot even begin to imagine the scene of a temple construction when some of these intricate buildings were first built, 500-1000+ years ago, with nary a chainsaw, sawmill, crane, or power tool in sight. Even with those modern advantages, the feats achieved are difficult to comprehend. However, Brown does a fine job of attempting the lead the reader through the process of the Japanese carpenter, and of the construction process itself, and it is truly fascinating.

Japanese carpenters of old

The book briefly covers some of the principles which traditional carpenters adhere to, and the personal history and background of Nishioka himself, all of which is very interesting but not too-deeply covered. The book continues on to design theory, the usage of wood, traditional tools, and finally, the assembly and erection of the Picture Hall, a massive and ornate temple at the Yakushiji compound.

Be prepared to get lost as Brown goes through the assembly process, detailing each step of the erection of the temple, layer by layer, of which there are many. It is at this point very clear that the Japanese have achieved nothing short of absolute mastery, as these buildings are an incredible feat of engineering, and the knowledge of wood and total command of simple tools is astonishing.

The photos (both color and black and white) are fantastic, as are the highly intricate drawings of the Picture Hall assembly. You’ll no doubt come back to just the photos themselves, as they are full of interesting details. It’s a nicely written book, illuminating much of the process of the Japanese carpenter. There is plenty more, no doubt, that is not presented in this book, but it is difficult to find too much fault. Too many details and the book might begin to feel burdensome. It remains accessible and yet still informative, and definitely something to return to again and again. If you have any interest in carpentry, timber framing, woodworking, or even Japanese history, I highly recommend this book.

Win Your Own Copy of The Genius of Japanese Carpentry

Okay, so now for the giveaway. Do you want to win your own copy of Azby Brown’s The Genius of Japanese Carpentry? Follow these very simple steps (it’s just one step, really)!

• Comment on this post, and tell us one reason why you’re excited about adding this book to your collection.
• Please be sure to leave your full name and email address, or else your name will not be entered in the drawing.
• The drawing will take place August 13, at 8:00 A.M., and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards. We will choose a winner at random. Note, too, that I will add giveaway participants to The Year of Mud newsletter.

So… go ahead, comment, and cross your fingers!

A drawing from master carpenter Nishioka