Making a Koyoshiya (小吉屋) Kanna Dai (鉋台) - Japanese Plane Block Master Craftsman

In this video, we are in Sanjo, Niigata, Japan spending the day with Mr. Watanabe, the Japanese Master of Traditional Crafts, making a Kanna Dai (鉋台) or Japanese Plane Block. This was an amazing experience where we got a chance to get a behind the scenes look at this master Kanna Dai maker at work. His Kanna Dai are sought after by the top blacksmiths in Japan for their high quality. His Kanna Dai are often found paired with some of the finished Kanna blades in Japan.
We had a lot of fun hanging out in his workshop as he processed a Kanna Dai from beginning to end. He explained to us step by step the process of making a Kanna Dai. He made the process look easy. He showed us how to make a single blade and double blade Kanna Dai. Some of these important design features are shared in this video.
We learned a lot from Mr. Watanabe and we hope people learn a lot from this exclusive video.
We hope you enjoy this video.
#thecarpentrylife #japanesewoodworking #carpentrytools #woodworking #大工 #carpentry

[@Iamwood1005]

That smile mr.watanabe has at the end of the video, that is what success looks like.😁

[@willt8041]

I can’t believe he’s wearing toe socks, and yet somehow it makes perfect sense

[@_misterJ]

This type of work is the very definition of sustainable building techniques. Tradition is a lot smarter than we think.

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

Notice the pride and enjoyment on Mr. Watanabe's face as our host uses one of Mr. Watanabe's planes to create an incredibly thin shaving the full length of the board. Notice also that the Master uses the correct specific tool for each operation.

[@andersnelson6888]

😂 best part

[@chriskirkemo2522]

This is so pleasant to watch. Skill like this has taken a lifetime to develop. Thanks for sharing these amazing craftsmen, my friend!

[@Zie_carpentry]

👍👍

[@fredbosch5392]

Amazing. A lot different than my $65.00 Amazon version.

[@franek_izerski]

These master craftsmen are so amiable and open to visitors!

[@1crazypj]

That was really interesting. Never knew white oak would be used for plane body. That automatic chisel machine was fascinating to watch. Fitting handmade blade to body takes a lot of skill to do so quickly and recycling old railroad track is fantastic!

[@deemdoubleu]

The steel will be well seasoned

[@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589]

Every Japanese woodworking video I watch: the featured makers have a very relaxed attitude to the safety of their hands. The machines have no guards, or are set up so that if there's the slightest mishap, fingers would go into the cutters. It gives me the heebie jeebies. Yes, they're probably skilled; but I've worked with plenty of skilled people that had one mishap, and lost a finger or two. It doesn't bear thinking about, otherwise you'd never do anything with woodworking machines, or; it bears thinking about a whole lot.

[@joschmoyo4532]

It is a rare privilege to be allowed to watch a master at work. The sureness and subtlety of hand and eye. The state of relaxed focus. I find such video footage deeply interesting to witness. It reassures me that there are still quite a few of us out there. Marvellous.

[@lukafilm]

Thank you for filming this! It was fantastic!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Those old machines have been well-maintained! I have never seen the one that cuts the blade kerf into the block of wood before. Super cool!! Japanese woodworking and carpentry have always fascinated me. Once a month I try to learn a new method of Japanese and Korean joinery and it is very challenging. Much respect for this Master.

[@Zie_carpentry]

👍👍👍

[@alierem4266]

Japanese cratfsmen are the best wood joinery makers in the world. This is a small example of it.

[@cloudsculptor1]

Those shavings at the finalé set it all into perfect context👌

[@abmbarry]

Fabulous! Perfection indeed!

[@m.r.5089]

What an adorable and humble craftsman

[@pebblesthecat3625]

A master craftsman is only as good as the last tool he made. This gentleman is making absolutely perfect instruments every single time. The ability to do that has taken his whole life to master. That is why he is a master craftsman, as is so rightfully deserving of the title.

[@superemile999]

High quality craftmanship. Pleasure to enjoy!!

[@carlosrenatobonfim691]

Thanks for sharing! Its amazing work!

[@richardevon6410]

I love this. That Mr. Watanabe's bench is the age-worn floor and his hold-down is his stockinged foot is remarkable. What an honor to watch this master create such useful and beautiful tools. Thank you for sharing.

[@WoodFleshJakubMiziolek]

A joy to watch. I'm instantly in love with this Marunaka super surfacer :D

[@twinkyunouwantmycreamfilli8297]

That first shaving you took looked really satisfying. Makes me want to go fiddle with my planes.

[@malliort]

Beautiful working!! 🙏🏻🤗🙋‍♂️🇫🇮

[@alanwilliamson2259]

Simply stunning craftsmanship. Thankyou all for sharing this with us.

[@mikearzabal1837]

thank you sir and the master for the video ...

[@abettermousetrap]

So cool to watch a master at work.

[@philippschneider6277]

Fantastic craftsmanship Mr. Watanabe! Thanks a lot for Sharing🙏🏻👍

[@janaj.8696]

Fantastické, ta preciznost je až neuvěřitelná!

[@17penobscot]

Thank you so very much for a look into the work of such a very talented craftsman. 🙏

[@512banana1]

brother i can't thank you enough for these videos, i'm trying to make planes for my own and these are super cool to watch

[@StopGravity]

That was really cool to watch. Never saw one being made by machine before. That was really interesting.

[@chrisstearns10]

It's always a great pleasure to watch a Master work their craft!!!! Great job!!!!!

[@bjohnny8038]

Thank You for video. It's amazing.

[@WelshPigeon]

Very interesting video, thank you for sharing!

[@iwanarya4779]

Awesome..making wooden layering used with small koyoshiya 👍👏👏

[@mickmurphy1837]

Thanks mate, love these videos

[@rcrogers6]

Beautiful photogra[phy. Inspirational craftsmanship by a quiet artist.

[@TonKuipers134]

Very Nice movie of Japanse craftmanship 👌 thanks for posting

[@jenn976]

I love everything about Japanese joinery. I love watching chiseling and planing. And as many videos as I’ve watched so far, the chisel he starts using at about minute 8:00 is one I’ve never seen before this video. Thank you!

[@bronzalba1159]

The skill of this master craftsman is admirable and the quality of the Plane Block made is excellent. Good luck

[@carlossimoescampos1]

This is a perfect job!! Congratulations Mr. Mitsuo Watanabe!! Really perfect!!

[@boatbeard7767]

Exquisite... I have some ordinary level Kanna that I look forward to bringing back into use. The skill is wonderful to see here from Master Watanabe.

[@norbertzznagy]

Unbeliveable! Thank You!

[@gprn3]

This will go to my favorites, splendid film ty.

[@Timothylaing]

So cool. You are like a kid at the end taking those shavings

[@hoffaltlucas]

Probably the best Daya.

[@hardingod]

thanks so much for sharing this video!!!

[@maxgrey435]

great skill from this man!!

[@morgorth3242]

i enjoy ur videos they inspire me

[@sergiocantoli5783]

Amazing job!

[@gamiwv]

What an excellent tool !!!! Makes me want to buy one to achieve the perfect smooth surface for the speaker enclosures I (diy) make now and then. Also I like the socks -made like gloves- he wears

[@MedSou]

*A masterpiece* 👍👍👍

[@smaug06]

Mr. Watanabe, you are a very good Master, my respects to you!!! Excelente trabajo Sr. Watanabe, un verdadero maestro , lo felicito sinceramente, Bravo!!!!

[@severinosilva9056]

Minha admiração a esse povo ordeiro e inteligente na arte de fazer bem feito. Parabéns. From Brazil.

[@tolbaszy8067]

Superb videography! Thank-you for the English commentary. Your video did the Master's skill justice. Thanks!

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you

[@NealeOBrien]

Wonderful, beautiful and marvellous to see! I want one too!!!!!

[@justadesigner6864]

So pleasant to watch 🌷

[@theflyingdutchman787]

I love how so many Japanese tools function on the pull stroke. It seems that you’re way more in control.

[@illergiuliotti1896]

Fantastic! Compliments

[@crowlers6]

I love watching an older man with a lifetime of skill and wisdom, thank you for this video! By chance, is there a way to purchase Mr. Watanabe Plane Blocks!

[@marcioantoniodasilva8713]

Wonderful!

[@paisaconstructiondavid1964]

Wow, thank you very much

[@raynorman2855]

Amazing! My Respect for such craftmanship! :) Best Wishes. :)

[@lohikarhu734]

lovely...nice to. see the many steps, it helps to understand a good one...and why one pays a fair price for both the time, AND skills! i noted that the adjustment of the 'bed' of the blade is quite similar to the hand scraping process in fitting precision machine tools, or in making a very flat surface, using ink to transfer the surface profile, making visible high spots, and overall conformation of for.

[@friendlylocal3731]

LOVE his socks

[@waltereerdekens1713]

Great work. Sugoi

[@gator83261]

Very cool.

[@shinymud7]

Love the toe socks😊

[@gregzoller9003]

Western woodworkers agonize over bench styles, clamps, and multiple vices. This guy does master-level work sitting on the floor holding the work in his legs and toes 😂

[@pinheadlarry9495]

Agonize?.. and they call me the pinhead

[@ronbarnett2383]

True to a point but the master here does only one thing and he does it very well but most western woodworkers do many different things so need different things to do them

[@nopenonein]

@@ronbarnett2383 Have you seen a Japanese wood worker built a house or a Temple?

[@ronbarnett2383]

@@nopenonein yes I have but have you ever seen a kanna plane maker ever working on a house or temple chances are you haven't as I said the master in the video makes hand planes so I don't think he is doing regular carpentry Monday to Friday and became a master plane craftsman on the weekends

[@pueraeternum]

Asian people have a different body type than those in the west, they can sit hunched over all day and not have back problems.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Good job friend

[@franciscohernandez4766]

Es una de las culturas de más admiro. Por su destreza para construir de lo más mínimo asta loas grande. Con una exactitud imprecioonante. Saludos cordiales. 😊

[@gazpal]

I wish to goodness I could afford a set of handplanes crafted by Mr Watanabe and with cutting irons of his choice. His hard earned skill and the pleasure he derives from seeing his handplanes put to good use certainly inspires faith in craftsmanship and the quality of materials that combine to create top quality tools. An indicator of true quality is when a craftsman stamps and therefore commits his name and faith in his product.

[@endubsar7442]

And that is why , it is expensive , it's worth the money !!! ❤❤❤❤

[@josebel1000]

10,10,10!!!

[@curtisnewton895]

god, that plank of wood looks so perfect

[@WoodCraft414]

Wow... I like it

[@bernardlegendre4884]

Creation from a Great Master thank you very much from French Brittany.. it is an awesome work of Art❤❤❤❤

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you too!

[@EricNassau]

Je connaissais l’outil ; mais j’ignorais complètement sa fabrication… qu’elle patience, qu’elle précision, c’est vraiment très impressionnant. Merci pour cette peut courante et belle découverte….

[@thecarpentrylife]

Glad to hear you liked it. There are lots of things we haven't discovered yet. Hope you guys enjoy the journey with us.

[@andrewcarmichael8683]

Dying to get a few of those planes. Ordered one, but never came. Will try again in the new year, when the budget allows!

[@sundarAKintelart]

Wow.

[@garycovey1842]

This is a case where you take the greatest pride in what you ceate.

[@Ajib]

awesome♥️👍🤝🙏

[@alexandrsherbakov9878]

Супер инструмент! Респект Мастеру.

[@user-lw5qz8uy5w]

幾十年只做一樣東西也算是幸福的事情!!

[@SandyRiverBlue]

I want one of those carving machines so bad.

[@muqllidagah9336]

У японских мастеров все работы очень интересные , нежные и изящные . 👍🙏

[@naiaima2615]

جميل.....أشياء جديدة نكتشفها.....بالتوفيق.

[@michaelmistry2862]

The angle chizel he uses is amazing...you have to have tremendous judgement and skill and working on the most important part of the planer...one mistake at the blade opening and its irreversible..great skill

[@ThanhTran-zt3hc]

Tuyệt vời của sự khéo léo và kỹ năng sử dụng máy móc .Sự phát triển của nước Nhật là tất yếu ,bởi có nhiều nhân tài và lòng đam mê.

[@mauroplatania236]

Compliment!! For tutorial...for Shopping?👍

[@aaronskoy957]

The machine at :44 is beautiful.

[@suburbanview]

A master against all the odds in this thecno/computer times

[@bekimmuzlijaj3241]

🎉tuciĺle👌

[@TheOzturner]

Great video. Like you I want one of those planes. Where are they sold?

[@ricardorodriguez5233]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww un verdadero maestro

[@whitedog9540]

прекрасно ) просто прекрасно ) было бы отлично если б вы показали как делать рубанок для кумико, который не отрезает а надкусывает )

[@mydiary1196]

E incrível ☺️☺️

[@mehdikoschin5651]

❤

[@lieminhson2982]

Thank you for the video ... When the kanna is complete, do you use oil on the plane or do you let the wood completely raw without any finish ?

[@NSResponder]

24:33 I've seen Japanese planes used for this kind of demonstration before, but it still blows my mind. I'd like to take a micrometer to that shaving, I'm guessing it's under .01mm.

[@RayBecker]

Not on your best day could you ever buy a manufactured Plane that would even come close to performing as well as this man's tool. The man is literally shaving wood from the underside that is thinner than human hair. He builds to the Blade. Just amazing. I'll bet the farm that when you Plane with this Master's tool, you could see through the shavings.