How Japanese Wooden Ladles Are Made. This 87-Year-Old Craftsman Has Hand Carved Ladles For 70 Years.

Discover the rich tradition of Togouchi kurimono (a centuries-old woodworking craft) with Fumio Yokohata, an 87-year-old master wood craftsman who has been hand carving wooden ladles for an incredible 70 years. Yokohata's workshop, the last of its kind in Akiota, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, specializes in the ancient art of hand wood-hollowing, a technique used to craft daily utensils and small objects.
Step into the Yokohata Kougei workshop, a welcoming space that preserves the centuries-old tradition of handcrafted tools. Fumio Yokohata and his fellow craftspeople passionately continue the art of "kurimono," using chisels, woodworking planes, willow knives, and other traditional tools. The workshop's standout creation is the Fuji Otama, a wooden ladle considered lucky as it always bobs to the surface when placed in a bowl of soup.
Join us on a journey to explore the heritage of Togouchi kurimono, where craftsmanship meets cultural significance, and witness firsthand the dedication of Fumio Yokohata in preserving this age-old tradition. 🌳🔨 #WoodCraftsmanship #JapaneseTradition #HandmadeLadles
The Process of making a traditional Japanese wooden ladle!
The type of wood Fumio Yokohata is using to carve this ladle is Cherry Blossom Wood.
Fumio Yokohata's website:
🏠 yokohata-craft...
📸 Copyright © 2023. Process Maestro. All Rights Reserved

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Please set the video quality to 4k (2160p) and enjoy! ❤🤝🏼

[@rudiger86]

I only have a 720p monitor though?

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

That was immensely satisfying! If the presentation was twice as long, I would have watched it all. Particularly if in those extra minutes we could see the master caring for some of his tools.

[@philsterboy635]

Mesmerising watching a rough cut of wood turned into a masterpiece by a master craftsman.

[@DaveSmith-v3t]

I work my wood 2 hours a day and it's still in tact

[@muratsinanengin9773]

Watched with awe and admiration. I’m still reminding myself that there were no power tools lying around, no routers, belt sanders, planers, power saws; and still trying to wrap my head around that. With not years, but decades of experience, he makes it look easy, as if sculpting polystyrene foam. As if anyone can do it. That’s the telltale sign of a true master. They make extremely difficult tasks look effortless. 9:02 wood talks to him.

[@allphornunn]

Whoa what a mind-blowing treasure trove of handmade Japanese woodworking tools😍

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you very much!

[@frederickheard2022]

That work bench is amazing: vices, holdfasts, a shave horse, etc. etc. I would watch a long demonstration of all the features built into such an unassuming form. And the master uses it all like an extension of his body. Very cool.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you!

[@Menuki]

I bet his grip is every bit as strong as any vice in that shop

[@tizmon]

Hope you know that the bench is made by the craftsman along with many of his tools.

[@pauldooley9842]

I like the way you observed this master craftsman.😊🎉❤

[@nickrodis6862]

Salamat po

[@Tom-jy3jd]

Still got most of his fingers, after 70 years impressive

[@VolkerHRichter]

When it comes to the end, he can’t fail. Amazing skills and amazing tools he has.

[@stuartlast8156]

True Artisan !!

[@Jonathan-hx6oy]

I'm from a long line of woodworkers, that ladle was crude. I have no doubt he was once a fine craftsman who created masterpieces. His actions in this vid are hurried, impatient, and careless. I'd assume he's retired and REALLY didn't want to make this video but got bullied into it.

[@glennlilley8608]

I too am from a long line of carpenters Blacksheep electrician It's KZbin.....the home of crapite.

[@business6846]

Worked so long with wood, his fingernails have become wooden. He's become one with the material. Absolute legend and deserves a monument built and his shop modeled into a museum.

[@Shontaku]

There are hundreds of these types of places across Japan. Pretty much all are dying with the owners since nobody buys their stuff except for unwanted omiyage. Dude makes unattractive spoons of reasonable quality. Not worth being over dramatic.

[@business6846]

@@ShontakuI respect this dude and how hard he works for how old he is. You’re being overly negative. Get over it.

[@MagiRaz]

70 years of doing this and not a single missing finger. That's the part that impresses me.

[@motionz1]

87 years old, and this gentleman has all his hairs, doesn't wear glasses, and still has all his skill in his hands to master his craft ... Very impressive. Love the woodwork, always so nice to see.

[@Knobiknows]

most impressively for a woodworker he still has all his fingers, too

[@Menuki]

@@Knobiknowswe I don’t see many power tool. You have a lot more control with manual tools. Assuming he apprenticed under another Japanese wood worker, he probably spent a few years training before he was let anywhere near anything vaguely sharp, those tools now are extensions of his hands. A blade might as well be a finger tip as he can feel imperfections and grain the same as if his fingers were upon it. He could no more cut himself as you can tickle yourself

[@kinbolluck476]

​@@Menukiyou write novels?

[@Menuki]

@@kinbolluck476 no, why do you ask?

[@JulianaBlewett]

He lives a simple life, he eats a good, healthy diet and he doesn't sweat the little things. We could all learn a lot from him.

[@MrSteve280]

It must be satisfying for this man to know his ladles have served food to so many people for so many years. A fine legacy.

[@DaveSmith-v3t]

kinda like ray Kroc

[@albertapeet]

His wood working skills are amazing but I am most envious of the fact that he can get down on the floor and sit cross legged while working all day. I can only dream of being that flexible.

[@dlighted8861]

Word on that. I am sixty seven and the tailors pose gets harder every day.

[@1pcfred]

I can get down on the floor. It's the getting back up that might be a bit of a challenge. There's going to be some grunting involved then.

[@funkyole1125]

Impressed dude has all of his fingers….

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

If you can go home and still count to 21, it was a good day.

[@priceks]

@@kgilliagorilla2761hahahahahahahaha 😂. Pissing myself laughing

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

@@priceks I worked in cabinet shops. That’s an old saying , and it’s true.

[@Endrid]

And we’ll never be royals rootals you can call me Albatat the old lovers and for us we on a different kind of bus and I’ll ve you’re ruler rulerrrrrrr you can call me queen bee of the something’s on the truck

[@Endrid]

The song of the century

[@MajorKong1]

It doesn't look that hard, give me the tools, the wood and a little time and I could have pile of wood shavings and few minor injuries that probably wouldn't require hospitalization. As for having anything that remotely looked like a ladle, well that's another story.

[@Rood67]

I fear I would be living the other part of the story. Not sure about hospitalization, I’d probably bleed out before I got there.

[@TheShurikenZone]

Spoon carving... or ladle carving... what have you... is a very specific skill, certainly, but with the right tools and enough drive and practice, I believe it's something most people could learn to do well. Also... I swear that I have no intention of horsing around on the airplane. 8-/ EDIT: Now that I've seen the end of the video, I would call this craftsman's end result a very rustic spoon, indeed. Learning to make such a piece would not be too difficult for anyone who wanted to, and had the physical capacity to use the required tools. 👍👍

[@chasingmoonlight7342]

😂

[@tomjjackson21]

It's not. Which is why every bushcrafter is moist for spoon carving. My son's even do it.

[@tomjjackson21]

​@@TheShurikenZoneoh hush, you're so dramatic. Anyone with can carve spoons after watching a 20 mins youtube video, so long as they have a hook and a carving knife. I take my kids that are both under 10 to harvest figured wood for spoon carving all the time.

[@trahtrebor]

Thoroughly enjoyed this gentleman's work. But looking at the "special" carving knife. Such an obviously well made blade with a make shift handle. I absolutely love the practicality of it! Make the blade perfect to do the work and make the handle to fit the hand. Love it!

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you for taking an interest! 🙏🏼🤝🏼

[@dogsonjones121]

It’s so crazy how his wood stays intact as hard as he’s hitting it and breaking exactly how he wants it. Insane talent

[@Ruach-d2s]

Great craftsmanship Master.

[@MrKozure]

The amount of tools this master has just to make a ladle is staggering.

[@CajunCrustacean]

If he's anything like any other craftsman I've ever known, they were probably built up over the years. He probably started off with a relative few, and found or made more for specific uses. This particular tool makes doing this particular cut much easier or more consistent, while that one is really useful for this other part. He could probably tell you the provenance of almost every tool in his shop.

[@MAG-1234]

I ain't got enough fingers and finger nails to make these ladles. I'd be in constant pain from the damage to my hands. Awesome craftsmanship!

[@deepakkumarsharma8090]

Great sir,salute to your passion at ur age...dis shows everyone has to jst live ur passion....

[@Steveshappylittletrees]

Tougochi says to himself “ I’m tired of making these stupid things. If I make another, I’ll go mad!”👍

[@bigredc222]

I'd be bored after making four of them.

[@ianalexander7082]

Can you make me a spoon please? Nah mate, I only make ladles.

[@NasonMusa]

Love the woodwork, always so nice to see.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thanks 👍

[@paulkramer4176]

The special knife is much like one of my Japanese marking knives. It also is not dissimilar to a Scandinavian sloyd knife, which is used to carve spoons and objects. Actually the process with the axe and knife and spoon knife is VERY similar to the one that Scandinavians use to carve spoons and ladles. Very nicely done.

[@stupitdog9686]

That "special" knife looks like those made in prisons worldwide ..........

[@lmcoopie]

I’d enjoy seeing how he sharpens his tools.

[@armstrong2052]

Ancient Chinese secret!😅

[@dpitt1516]

It's incredible how these master craftspeople make it look so easy to craft these through years of practice. I hope he has trained apprentices to carry on the tradition. Nice video !!!!

[@Shontaku]

Of course he hasn't trained anyone since you can't make money selling something that almost nobody wants.

[@1pcfred]

The guy has a 5 axis CNC machine in the back room just banging spoons out. What he does in the front room is a cover act.

[@rodneysmart9774]

The tools and shop are so sick.

[@walterharding7574]

I have a feeling this fine gentleman can probably crush a rock with his bare hands and make a necklace with the remnants.

[@royhi1809]

Magnificient!

[@harkbelial]

This guy is going to live well past the 100 mark

[@nicanovitchMN]

ISSO É FANTÁSTICO, CONSEGUIR ESCULPIR DE UMA MADEIRA BRUTA, UM UTENSÍLIO TAO UTILIZAVEL, É FANTÁSTICO!

[@dhanrajshaw2188]

Wonderful 😮❤

[@oldsarj]

His skill with the hatchet is impressive but I'd have roughed out the shape with a bandsaw before finishing it up with the hand tools. Hacking out the blank from a log takes tradition to a ridiculous level.

[@chippy33able]

Very nice . Excellent set of skills. Thanks eh.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you kindly

[@sheilabare5677]

Very skillfully crafted, ARKANSAS STYLE LOVES Y'ALL, much respect for your channel, god bless

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you so much

[@DomingoDeSantaClara]

70 years doing this, and he's still got all his fingers!

[@badirtadj506]

ما شاء الله ،،،عمل مهارة ،،،،،،اليابانيون في كل شيئ إتقان من العود الأخشاب الى محركات و أدوات الثقال BRAVO excellent travail monsieur

[@mikestand714]

lots of experience nice ladle

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Yes, thanks

[@paultant6741]

Not knowing about about japanese wood but am assuming this is a dry hard wood. Most spoon or laddle maker's use wet wood. This is a superb video of a true traditional craft man using super sharp tools. Thanks for showing

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thanks for watching. He’s carving Cherry Blossom Wood, presumably dry 👍🏼

[@1pcfred]

@@ProcessMaestroChannel American cherry wood is pretty soft. It's on par with soft maple. But Brazillian Cherry is really hard. Harder than hickory even.

[@bloatedtreeful]

You’d think with all that wood and experience he’d build a workbench and stool.

[@bigredc222]

Very good.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Many many thanks

[@moc5541]

His "hatchet" is actually a froe--- very commonly in use around the world, to split wood.

[@ronnyrice697]

Love to watch a talented artist do his thing . Beautiful piece of work

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you!

[@unclescipio3136]

The only things in this whole process that wouldn't have been there 500 years ago are the camera and the electric light. Beautiful to watch.

[@riccardo-964]

Beautiful.

[@nielssolar]

would love to see him sharpening his tools. What type of wood is that? How long does he dry his wood?

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

The wood he uses is Cherry Blossom Wood. And on average, you should expect to wait at least 12 to 18 months before it can be safely used.

[@claytonsimplot9554]

Is he the same person that made the other ladles at 00:40? I like the style of those.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Yes, he makes multiple different styles of ladles 👍🏼

[@jimhood1202]

Double edged hook knife is a very cool tool. Expertly handled.

[@АлексейМ-л9д]

Моё уважение мастеру. Долгих вам лет.

[@joecampitiello3643]

I hope he has an apprentice to carry this tradition on

[@BrandanDavies]

Someone please buy my guy a belt sander and a band saw. Dude is gonna have such bad arthritis. Hard to believe he’s 28 years old.

[@GaryHB8872]

..Craftsmen like are disappearing so so quickly. The world will miss them.

[@pauldooley9842]

I like the way you have made you tools and the design on how you have your device's to hold the wooden spoon as you work. Your hands are very strong and are like a surgeon. But I couldn't sit on the floor like that. I wish young people would wake up and work with there hands. God Almighty gave you a talent.😊🎉❤ S.AFRICA

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelsummerell8618]

I bet his neighbours wish he'd invest in a saw...

[@TheTrock121]

This is incredible. I've made a few hewn ladles after ruining quite a few. I turn them on a lathe now it is so much easier.

[@이승훈-r3s8q]

일본을 싫어한다 하지만 장인들을 보면 경외감마저 든다 부럽고 샘난다 진열된 연장을 보면서 고집스런 꼼꼼함이 묻어나는 장인정신이 느껴진다 손쉬운 기계적 장비가 있음에도 손수 제작한 연장으로 깎아서 만든 예술품에 노고와숭고함이 느껴진다 어떻게 만들었을까? 보는 내내 감탄사만 연신 뿜었다

[@danielsadler486]

I absolutely love the hard work you put into these. Thank you for sharing your gift, sir

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

My pleasure!

[@barrym2112]

I could watch this master craftsmen work his magic all day long.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@ppa3960]

Beautiful Video!!! Does somebody know what kind of working bench Mr. Yokohata is using? Thanks!!

[@ricardoaquino1562]

Great!, tank you for your time and experience👍👍👋

[@mikedarr6968]

I love to see old world Artists creat beautiful items, and done with hand tools and no sandpaper. Can you tell me what type od wood ge used in this example. Thank You!

[@bumpedhishead636]

Items like this are not "perfect" in the modern sense - they are not perfectly symmetrical and not perfectly sized to a spec & pattern. AND YET - they are beautiful in a way that a perfectly manufactured modern product can never be.

[@paulcollin1398]

All done by hand no electric in sight a true crafts man 👍

[@iveter999]

это мог сделать каждый школьник СССР , причем только одним инструментом - простым ножом .

[@Shontaku]

3000yen each...or go to Daiso. Great to see him still plugging along but this art will die with him.

[@janmuyllaert8565]

that wood is very hard when seasoned , makes it all the more appreciable what he does with it .I personally prefer sycamore , lime or bass wood , carves like butter and also leaves no taste on the food. God bless your hands.

[@googiegress]

"They say he carved it himself! From a BIGGER wooden spoon!"

[@klaaspieterrook4532]

Masterfull, a joy to watch. Thank you!

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Many thanks!

[@justtim9767]

Appears he still all his fingers. If I tried that they would have to start calling me stubby.

[@thomasbullock6416]

True craftsman 👍

[@yaseeinsalmanswelimyeen4647]

ما هاذا الخشب هل هو من شجر البلوط او السنديان يبدو ذالك حتئ ان هاذا الخشب لا يبتل في الشتاء وهو يصنع منه أبواب الفلل عندنا والباب الريسي للفيلا ولا يبتل ولا يتأثر في عوامل الطقس وهو قوي جدا اقوئ من البولاد. وغريب ينحته وكأنه معجون في يديه، كل الاحترام

[@michaelkelso1407]

The log looks as if it holds an amount of sap ,probably to prevent unwanted splitting

[@TomBuskey]

The axe, chisel and curved knife work are very similar to english spoon making. They would finish with a knife where he's using the kanna. I might try using a spokeshave.

[@frederickheard2022]

That hooked hatchet for ripping along the grain is very cool. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that in European carving. The rest of the tools look familiar, but it was interesting as you mentioned to see him use them in different ways/at different stages of carving. I want his work bench so bad!

[@chapiit08]

Watching this makes me remember how much I hate my life.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Damn brother

[@huntingkc1]

Naw man.... Now you know how to find enjoyment

[@dannyhughes4889]

While others his age are playing bridge or such he is creating something that could last a lifetime or more.

[@imstupid880]

I misread this as wooden ladies and was incredibly confused for a moment

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

Haha

[@anshorifahmi1857]

Sendok kayu hand made seperti itu banyak di tempatku harga $0.50 dari kayu kualitas terbaik

[@darthkek1953]

I came in here looking for him to make a wooden lady. Instead he carved a spoon.

[@ArtwoodBG]

😍😍😍😍🤯👏👏👏👏👏

[@BoabyGeorge]

its crazy that a lot of the old skills and crafts are dying out or being replaced with robots and ai it is so sad

[@Weaver489]

Я понимаю, что к 87-летнему мастеру надо относиться с уважением, но создаётся впечатление, что он выбрал не самую подходящую породу дерева в обработке.

[@vikgaudi8742]

Максимальные вложения на минимальный результат....японцы в этом мастера.

[@r7kelley553]

The one I made last week when I was camping is way better.:-)

[@stefflus08]

Are they ceremonial? I've never seen anyone tinker so much to make a ladle

[@dotsondotson]

Is there a non music version? Thanks for the upload.

[@kajaldey2934]

Awesome your hand work sir 👌👌👌 🙏 from INDIA 🇮🇳

[@jike7978]

That's some fancy whitlin'

[@doak4886]

Craftsman and artist! Thank you for letting us watch.

[@ProcessMaestroChannel]

You bet

[@rahulpratap2]

Patience and Perfection

[@Stormrider-Flight]

Remove everything that isn't ladle. Easy.

[@simonedoherty6195]

A wonderful video to watch. Is the wood being carved green wood or is it dry? It sounds like it's dry. Please also, what is the name of that beautiful chisel used to carve out the inner bowl initially? The hook knives I am already familiar with. I have many Japanese tools but don't know the correct name for the short broad chisel used prior to the hook knives. I'd love to purchase one. Thank you for sharing such great skills.🙂

[@sawasl6291]

Анекдот. - Кто же сидя дрова рубит! - пробовал лёжа, не получается.

[@81ghale]

So the one he threw down at the end is the same as the one’s he sells?

[@allegory7638]

After a year of doing this I'd have an extensive collection of messed-up half-finished ladles.

[@georgeslade7217]

I know what you mean

[@RickCarroll-j5n]

@motionz1 this is why you don't get married

[@НаташаКузовлева-з1р]

топорная работа - ложка-то кривая! у наших ложечников поучился бы!

[@abebeaku8369]

87? Incredible.