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

[@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

[@Adscam]

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

[@ronbarnett2383]

@@Adscam 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

[@PureAeternum]

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

[@fredbosch5392]

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

[@willt8041]

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

[@MarkOhanesian]

Natural clamps

[@rawrmusic55]

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]

👍👍

[@lukafilm]

Thank you for filming this! It was fantastic!

[@WelshPigeon]

Very interesting video, thank you for sharing!

[@philippschneider6277]

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

[@mikearzabal1837]

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

[@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

[@raynorman2855]

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

[@maxgrey435]

great skill from this man!!

[@norbertzznagy]

Unbeliveable! Thank You!

[@gator83261]

Very cool.

[@_misterJ]

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

[@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.

[@deejaytrizay]

TENOKO SHINNADOA!!!! SHIMI GAMI, RYU HADOKEN!!!! Gleat dishonol to famiry!!!!!!!! Hye!

[@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

[@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!

[@黃乃宣]

幾十年只做一樣東西也算是幸福的事情!!

[@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. 😊

[@severinosilva9056]

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

[@alanwilliamson2259]

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

[@stevenguevara2184]

Never knew an automatic chisel machine existed

[@bronzalba1159]

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

[@superemile999]

High quality craftmanship. Pleasure to enjoy!!

[@franek_izerski]

These master craftsmen are so amiable and open to visitors!

[@twcmaker]

Lovely video thank you. What Wood do they use for the wonderful plane shavings at the end of the video?

[@thecarpentrylife]

They usually plane Hinoki (Japanese Cypress).

[@582tird]

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

[@smaug06]

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

[@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!

[@crazycdn8327]

It now makes sense why some Japanese hand planes are so expensive. You think they're all mass produced, but it's amazing and wonderful to see true masters still doing their craft. I truly hope there is enough demand so he can train up someone else and pass down the knowledge.

[@KamikazeeNYC]

Where can I purchase a Dai from him??????

[@corvus-corone-8]

Я всё время смотрел на его носки))))

[@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.

[@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.

[@Iamwood1005]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@WoodFleshJakubMiziolek]

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

[@bjohnny8038]

Thank You for video. It's amazing.

[@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

[@rcrogers6]

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

[@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.

[@user-yl6ft9ed8f]

シマシマノのジャパニーズは誰？😆 凌ぎのみの解説は俺の認識と少し違うかな？♥️包み込みの解説も俺の認識と少し違うかな？？😆 でもね！それで良いの！それぞれの考え方、感覚、使い道で答えは一つではないのは当たり前💪 後やっぱり気になったから一言。凌ぎ蚤も普通の蚤も厚みはそんなに変わらんと思うよ。包み口はバリバリじゃ無くて、最後の材料に、段差出来なくなる為だと思ってます。

[@kirinn30]

同じこと思いました笑 バリバリと包口は違う話ですよね

[@calaarcangelo9160]

Travail d’artiste génial

[@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.

[@joshuahafenstein6047]

The shavings look like the toilet paper American schools use.

[@Centerboarder]

Railroad bridge.

[@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

[@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.

[@НиколайНиколай-в3к]

👍😁

[@OORAH659]

We The Few .... Yelling "My Pronouns Are USA" ... OORAH!! THE CHILDREN ARE AWAKING...

[@StopGravity]

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

[@tolbaszy8067]

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

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you

[@muqllidagah9336]

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

[@iwanarya4779]

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

[@renelange5151]

Are you write with black ink or normal pencil?

[@chrisstearns10]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@eric99vigne]

Amazing,where we can buy this plane? How much? Thanks

[@太田泰正-n4g]

私の親父は鉋の台は大工が自分で作る物だと言って自分で台を作っていました。

[@janaj.8696]

Fantastické, ta preciznost je až neuvěřitelná!

[@shinymud7]

Love the toe socks😊

[@orhankaynarca2634]

is there any chance that I buy 'single blade and double blade' Kannas directly from the master ???? Or can you some info as to where I can buy Japanese made kannas. Thanks a lot

[@Zie_carpentry]

Good job friend

[@ボッキッキ厶ック]

すごくノミが短くなっている。流石に研ぎも上手いんだろうなぁ？

[@mauroplatania236]

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

[@derekwiffen1115]

Is this the Watanabe that was a visiting artist at the furniture and woodwork shop in 2004-2005? If so he taught Japanese joinery and I believe his workshop then was Forest Owl. If so it would be nice to be in contact again. I still have the joint he marked out just before he left.

[@thecarpentrylife]

More than likely it is a different Watanabe. This Watanabe is a master at making the Kanna Dai.

[@wanebotuna8202]

👍👍👍👍💪

[@aaronskoy957]

The machine at :44 is beautiful.

[@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 ?

[@kareemjohnson8059]

I prefer asian planes and chisels over Western ones simply because its less parts and i myself can repair and restore with relative ease...however my grandfather and uncle never used asian tools and they were the best i had ever seen. They only used Western tools ,i would like to think some of it was just they never got a chance to work with Japanese planes and Chinese planes as i have being in an internet driven world..

[@mehdikoschin5651]

❤

[@stephanlorenz9240]

Is it possible to buy ready-made steams from this gentleman?

[@didndido3638]

No wonder those are expensive considering the amount of work.

[@bekimmuzlijaj3241]

🎉tuciĺle👌

[@whitedog9540]

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

[@SandyRiverBlue]

I want one of those carving machines so bad.

[@LeeBailes]

There's something meta about using a planer to make a planer

[@Timothylaing]

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

[@AMTunLimited]

@17:52 was he using a metal soled Japanese plane? I don't think ive ever even heard of one, let alone seen one.

[@mtvdazo6558]

Holy shittt... The end product was 🤯🤯🤯... That continuous strip of wood chip is just... Unwordable.... 😮😮

[@lorenzomoroni1958]

Non tutti sanno il giapponese e l'inglese . Esistono i sottotitoli e comunque anche voi potete imparare l italiano. Il non è composto solo di inglesi e statunitensi. Buone cose.

[@VadimBiliy]

👍👍👍👍

[@sawboneiomc8809]

Quality here....but the irony is not lost on me. Using power equipment to make hand tools....🤦🏻‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@carlossimoescampos1]

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

[@tienpham274]

Người Nhật làm gì cũng rất đẹp chất lượng cao hàng đầu thế gioi

[@hayrettinankarali6946]

how old is the white oak ?DRY TIME ,i have very long dutch plane at flomarket buy it marke NOOITGEDAGT i think very special nice one collectors item , can t take the rusty knife

[@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.

[@andersnelson6888]

0:48 Why don't They sell these at Home Depot?

[@elijahcherweznik3505]

It's surprising to me to see him using what looks like rift-sawn white oak instead of quarter-sawn. Won't this make it so that the base won't stay consistently flat from season to season? (especially since white oak has almost a 2:1 tangential to radial expansion)

[@elijahcherweznik3505]

I'm interested if he finds that this doesn't actually matter much? I've been thinking of starting to build my own planes and everything I have read makes a really big deal about using quarter-sawn wood and so it was surprising to see a master doing something that is so different from all of the literature.

[@philipchandler330]

Could you share about how I could purchase from him (1) 60MM and (2) 55MM plane bodies?

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching. I would recommend contacting Kurashige Tools online. Tell them you want to order a few Kanna Dai and the sizes you want. Koyoshiya and most other blacksmiths can't take direct orders so there are shops and local distributors that help to get their products to market. You may want to specify that you want the Kanna Dai to be cut part of the way. They can't cut the whole Dai without having the actual blade. The blade and Dai is a mated pair.

[@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.

[@ちゃんゆか-p3g]

in Japan we produce and make our own carpentry tools, and do not export from abroad. this is the tradition of our ancestors since time immemorial, it has been going on for centuries. Traditions and handicrafts from the past are still preserved today. it's a cottage industry

[@paisaconstructiondavid1964]

Wow, thank you very much

[@Lugeix]

Great looking plane. Can you explain Japanese planes? The different sizes. Is there an equivalent to Western plains? Is there a fore plane? A scrub plane? A jointer plane? The catalogue here lists all Japanese planes as smoother planes no matter their size. I do have a low-end smoothing plane. I learned to tune it up, which was shown here in your video. Its work great.

[@TheLydras]

i came for your socks.

[@Vincent-S]

Absolutely puts my hack job of a dai to shame!

[@thecarpentrylife]

hahaha

[@NealeOBrien]

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

[@sandornemeth9323]

Made by Japan PERFECT! ( HONDA YAMAHA KAWASAKI ectw )