A centuries-old technique used by Japanese joiners and carpenters, wood joining is a traditional art that allows for the construction of timeless pieces. The training in artistic craftsmanship provides participants with an approach to handcrafting wood through the study and creation of Japanese joinery techniques to create decorative pieces.
This workshop will focus on materials and resources. Victor Levecq will cover the physical properties of wood, sharpening, layout, joinery, and finishing, as well as the specific variations of carpentry and cabinetmaking, as well as the differences between Japanese and Western joinery.
This training offers the broadest possible scope, exploring a specific area of woodworking to provide participants with all the resources necessary for their subsequent progression.
At the end of the training, the trainee will be able to:
This training course provides an introduction to the basics of Japanese joinery. A library of books and multimedia content will be made available to participants throughout the course, allowing them to independently research information based on their interests. The introduction will cover wood, its origin and management, and an introduction to its various uses in the arts and crafts and industry, as well as its anatomy. The basic structural principles governing Japanese wood construction and the major types of joinery will then be covered, followed by a detailed introduction to their vocabulary, which allows for classification and understanding of their structure and function.
A practical application will allow participants to master basic tools and apply a drawing and execution order for joinery chosen by participants. Following this, the creation of a joinery project will allow them to undertake implementation in a more complex assembly. The objective is to learn to anticipate the steps and organize oneself to avoid fatigue and distraction.
The training is designed as an introduction to provide participants with a comprehensive overview and the keys to further study on their own after the week, as well as basic skills to practice and develop according to the desired goal.
Morning and Afternoon
Introduction to Japanese Carpentry and Preparation
Morning and Afternoon
Tracing and Creation of Practice Assemblies
Morning and Afternoon
Launching Custom Projects
Morning and Afternoon
Creation of an Original Project
Morning and Afternoon
Finishing, Storage, and Group Presentation
Victor Levecq, Traveling Carpenter
He began his apprenticeship in 2014 and traveled to France for several years, training in various companies, in traditional carpentry and heritage restoration. In 2017, he spent a year living in Japan. He worked for the Roy Mokkou company, which was building a teahouse, and participated in the construction of a temple with the Momoyama company. A new world opened up to him, with new wood species, new tools, new techniques, and a different way of thinking. He remained deeply influenced by this experience, which would lastingly inspire his professional practice. Back in France, he worked for historical monuments in Troyes and in 2020 joined the École Polytechnique de Bari to carry out a year-long research project on assemblies. Studying ancient construction techniques and parametric design, he created a construction set inspired by dovetail joints: Gumi. In 2021, he joined the European Institute of Carpentry, Fitting and Cabinetmaking where he developed new training courses for the Compagnons du Devoir. At the same time, he continued to train in artisanal design at the Grands Ateliers as well as in the Art of Line and became a trainer for the Marseille School of Architecture. He wrote a thesis on learning through play and joined the Fondation de Coubertin in 2022 to deepen his artistic culture before creating a tailor-made training and furniture design company: Menuiserie Kinoko. He continues to travel and share his passion for woodworking, respecting the material and those who transform it.
Training in Japanese woodworking techniques, from tool preparation to traditional jointing and edge finishing.
For all audiences with a strong interest in woodworking.
Price(s) including the cost of training, accommodation and full board, materials and personal protective equipment.
