Building a Japanese - American House - Tatemae Day 1 - Timber framing with Japanese Joinery

In this video, we are doing another Tatemae, however, this time it is for a Japanese - American family. This house is an interesting build due to its size. The rooms are a little bigger than normal to accommodate a large Japanese-American family. You will see some interesting joinery throughout day 1 of this house raising. We learn about certain joints that are more suitable due to their strength and design for certain areas of the house.
The foundation of this house is made from Japanese Cypress - Hinoki and the majority of the timber framing above that is Japanese Cedar - Sugi. All the wood in this house is naturally dried which is unusual for modern times. Naturally drying wood has a lot of benefits which most come in the way of the strength of the cellular structure within the wood. Rapidly drying wood in a kiln can create fractures that are hidden which can compromise a structure, however, when you naturally dry wood you allow the wood to develop its own cracks and also maintain its own natural strength.
This house was built with longevity in mind. With the added design aspects of larger joinery and bigger beam selection it would be great to see this house 100 to 200 years from now.
We hope you enjoy this video.
#japanesejoinery #japanesecarpentry #carpentrylife #thecarpentrylife #build #timberframe #大工 #japanesewoodworking

[@defnotsimon1922]

That pace and the people listening when someone is asking a question or explaining something is really amazing

[@fatihyucetin8655]

Müthişsiniz, hayranlıkla izliyorum. From İstanbul / Türkiye

[@MrAlexH1991]

Bro, Japanese carpentry is serious, SERIOUS business! I’m literally amazed at how highly skilled and solid this construction is.

[@jamiegibson1010]

I'm so glad that I found you channel. I love the Japanese and how they do everything, always striving to do the best job and show respect to all.

[@cebuanostud]

What a team. No egos, just all pros that like to get it done right with honor.

[@realmister7]

What a fascinating experience to watch skilled and humble men work together in this way. All the while calmly working as a team, respecting the quality of the final result and taking pride in the result. Slow and steady, never forcing or over exerting. Really beautiful work.

[@ChrisCurtis-gf3dh]

i bet every single person here lost someone in hiroshima and nagasaki, how embarressing for the evil empire of america

[@Jeebus-un6zz]

@@ChrisCurtis-gf3dh . . .

[@_camuz]

Just another comment of how great this video is. It feels like you’re part of the construction team. We learned a lot from terms, security, teamwork, joinery, techniques… thanks for sharing and documenting this. Kudos to you!😊

[@TheAmericankabuki]

Japanese carpenters are true masters of the trade!

[@wintron]

Not a carpenter never will be anything more than a weekend hobbyist at the best but I certainly enjoy the fine art and professionalism of Japanese carpentry you are showing. Please continue what must be a lot of extra work for you and the team you are working with. Further I deeply appreciate the inclusion of the various japanese terms used along with some of that content along with its 日本語文体. First lived in Japan back in the 70's and the house next to my place was under construction at the time so hearing the voices and seeing their cohesive team work your crew bring back some beautiful memories. 🙏🙏🙏

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching!

[@cesareoespinoza5642]

This is the quietest construction I’ve ever heard👀

[@Temuba]

The subtitles are a 15 out of 10. Much more enjoyable to watch with the subtitles and much more educational. Thank you for your effort and hard work in bringing this to us.

[@nelsonpainco1368]

this is simply a higher level of skill and discipline.... totally awesome

[@T_Kazahaya]

いい仕事するなあ…… あと親方の説明が理にかなってて分かりやすい。

[@jaggedsphere]

Those ninja work boots though! Whoever is going to get to live in that house is certainly a lucky person. Love the team spirit too.

[@bobbywhite5319]

Jikatabi look really nice, hoping to get a pair for general wear someday

[@crddcrdd]

and a rich person

[@leonlitinsky2108]

Thank you for showing this project! Amazing accuracy and complexity!

[@nickmolloy9563]

Another great video. Thanks, much appreciated. Even the concrete footings are perfectly formed. Each trade works to perfection. I think now we all want one of the Fujimoto Traditional Carpentry T-shirts. Sign me up.

[@raytheron]

I love traditional Japanese house-building. Such teamwork, such attention to detail and a great deal of craftsmanship. It's obvious these builders have respect for their trade, for their materials and for the work they produce, all sadly rather rare in the rest of the world.

[@wilfredventicify]

While watching this construction, I learned a lot about the Ancient Japanese techniques in carpentry and still perfecting it to the level. Dovetail techniques, Wedge Mortise & Tenon, Through Mortise Tenon, twin Mortise & Tenon, Loose Wedge, Butt joint, and many more. No nails involve in any link or joint of the wood. Ancient Japanese Jointry in woodworking is meticulously observed and learned by most Japanese and passed the techniques to the young generation. Salute to the Japanese people and to the Ancient strategies that many countries are also learning from and adopting.

[@wernerpetersen]

Thanks for this video, I really like the longer ones. Also a shout out to the one who makes the subtitles! Really easy to watch with those. Can't wait for the next video 🙂

[@captainobvious9188]

I've been studying Japanese Carpentry/Architecture. Thanks for documenting this!

[@TheMonkdad]

I remember when I was framing my first home and my mentor told me “you’re not building furniture, we don’t need 1/32”. This is more like furniture.

[@alexanderbanman9288]

Yeah true, the detail is very fine.

[@RichardDenRooyen1973]

can watch this for hours. just satisfying and interesting!

[@nisdeist]

Incredible work and great video. Thank you

[@chris.hinsley]

Lovely work !

[@riohei9221]

I really appreciate that you’re making a well detailed video about Japanese Carpentry, it’s hard to find videos that shows the first step and the other following steps that one by one completes the foundation of the house that their building. I hope you can shoot a video next time that shows every detailed steps; from the ground to the type of joinery technique that they use for every frame. It may take some time but as someone who wants to learn and understand Japanese Carpentry in full detail, I would really appreciate it and find it very helpful. Thanks for always making informative videos 💙

[@heribertohernandez2910]

That house will stand for a long time.

[@mikeiver]

Watching this makes one realize just how crude American stick built homes really are! The jointery is fantastic and the precision on display is a testament to the craftsmanship of these trades persons/ artisans.

[@TT-qo9dv]

Quick and easy is the American way.

[@e4d578]

Should really stop dogging on American construction. It works. And it is good depending on the builder. Not like all the homes fell down during large earthquakes. American construction is great and fulfills a different overall purpose. You can get a nicely built home like this in the US but it'll cost you. But in Japan it really costs you. The system is just different there than here. Also most don't live in homes in Japan....think about that.

[@Mediiiicc]

This isn't standard building practice in Japan. If people want higher quality homes all they need to do is pay the extra 💰💰💰

[@wilbertib]

​@@e4d578 exactly, if you want to build a house with this amount of attention and craftsmanship you can do it in the USA but you have to pay for it.

[@zazzenfuk]

​@e4d578 be sure to keep in mind the general mindset of American construction. Back when we did timber framing stuff lasted through tornadoes. Now we make stuff out of cheap materials and pocket the profit and it crumbles in adverse weather. Traditional joinery can be done without the addition of any nails or screws.

[@R2robot]

This is really cool.

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

Awesome work and awesome video. You’ve got another subscriber from Tennessee. I have always been interested in Japan and it’s culture and oddly enough, I took two years of Japanese language in high school. I never became proficient but I did learn a lot. About 8 years ago I started working in a custom cabinet/woodworking shop in Nashville and I love every aspect of woodworking. I’m not doing it as a job right now but I still have the passion. About a month ago I decided to start learning Japanese again. I’ve got the hirigana and katakana memorized again and I’m about to start with the Kanji. I’ve dreamed about a trip to Japan for a long time and I hope to make it a reality. Been watching your vids and I can’t wait to start practicing some of these joints. But first I want to get a good set of Japanese chisels. Your video of the tool shop was a great lesson and I loved the visit to the blacksmith. If I make a trip over there, I won’t be too interested in the bright lights. I want to talk to the loggers, sawyers, and builders. Thanks for the videos and the insight into a very unique trade in a very unique culture.

[@barcodenosebleed5485]

I don't know if you're religious or not (I'm not personally) although Tennessee is a clue you might be... anyway, my cousin-in-law was recently able to go to Japan with a group to help out a partner church get up and running and it was paid for by the organization. In talking with him apparently that kind of thing happens a lot. Especially if you have some skills of some kind, might be an avenue to make it happen.

[@micssticksnpipes]

Amazing 👍

[@danthefrst]

Great videografy! Great thanks

[@bengtriise6504]

I'm in awe!❤🇧🇻

[@winchells]

@ 20:22 This joinery is amazing!

[@thedreadedgman]

I can't even imagine the budget for such a project... that much large wood alone in this day-and-age must be a fortune

[@hamster6093]

I think that just a normal home in Japan. Everything in US is overpriced as fk

[@Bestmann3n]

@@hamster6093 building a house like this in Japan is very expensive. High income/upper middle class.

[@hamster6093]

@@Bestmann3n why do you say that? you have any evidence? this house will be way cheaper than US houses built from studs and dry walls (paper home) if you see 大改造!!劇的ビフォーアフター in japan, you will know the price may be quite cost effective for housing with lots these kind of wood

[@Bestmann3n]

@@hamster6093 well I live here, so just general experience I guess. Also my brother in law who works in construction recently built a house for his family and we talked a lot about cost/various options etcetera.

[@moodyga40]

i just love the old Minka houses

[@geraldofabianoartes3074]

Incrível parabens pelo trabalho. Brasil

[@user-sf9rn9yx5f]

Excellent

[@andrewpeterson5882]

This is straight up craftsmanship AND teamwork porn. Inspiring to watch. I understand we're watching the building of an incredibly expensive project right now, but I think there's so many things from this crew that construction crews in the US could take away from this. Team spirit, respect, safety, and ego-free work being the biggest one.

[@mikemikeyee]

Their lack of care a camera is on them while they work is notable. Or their appearance of lack of care. These guys know what they’re doing and aren’t afraid to show it off.

[@michaelkean3621]

thankyou.

[@atonyekha9106]

Would love to watch this full project,

[@williammonge8855]

Excelente manera de optimizar recursos. Muy similar a los Zafimaniris que con solo la madera construyen su habitat

[@ronvanwegen]

I love these videos! May I offer a suggestion. The subtitles are most welcome. However, I find them a little too small and a dark background would aid in visibility as they often disappear when there is a bright background. Otherwise, thank you!

[@valdius85]

Time for you to do a tabi review 😆

[@juanchogarza]

Wow! Too much to learn from youre techniques. In México, we build thinking in "everithing needs to be corrected after"

[@dougshaw9701]

Really cool video so much planning to get to this point and where can i get a pair of those shoes???

[@user-fy5sz8ps2d]

Will they make a documentation on how to assemble this? also Ikea should think to make a small version of shed and sell it. It looks like fun to build it although very time consuming. It needs very careful and cooperative work to assemble such structure.

[@twolee7110]

As a civil engineer, I find it fascinating how they build the houses. 💯💯💯

[@dzunku1]

全ての梁や柱に精密な加工が施されている事に驚きました。加州生活40年で見てきた2X4工法とは全く違う次元の建築法です。はるかにスキルと精密度が必要なんですね。疑問はハメ合いは圧入を目指しているのか、隙間バメを目指しているのかと言う事ですが、どうなんでしょう？元機械設計士の疑問です。

[@willdutt]

wow

[@lukehan451]

Wow nihon framing is by far a thousand light years advanced over the states n the west. As much as i live stick framing jomes in the states, the japanese are perfectionist whe It comes to carpentry

[@Hidy_Ho]

Is this considered (extremely) high-end framing job in Japan or "normal"? While the joinery and framing is cool to watch, It seems to be very labor intensive!!!

[@bryanlohmiller9242]

Will you be following this house to completion? I would like to see what it looks like when it's completed.

[@SgtDreTecKeGamer]

I really like watching how this type of building is done, and what state is this in, many us states have some of the strictest building codes and laws.

[@JTL1776]

Wonder what Japanese construction workers think about using T studs, Zip System and Mineral-Wool.

[@Ahmed786_99]

Very interested in doing something like this for my family. Can you expand a bit more on the cost and time investment for a project like this? What is the viability of this wood and construction in places like Houston, TX or Vancouver or Northern California? Thank you in advance, great work!

[@user-vx9cb8cb2z]

Спасибо автору за интересное, познавательное и увлекательное видео 👍 Подписка 🔔 ✅

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you

[@juanchogarza]

How long time it takes to you guys assemble that wood structure?

[@TV-we4lx]

これがホントの建前って率直に感じた。大手ハウスメーカーの監督及び大工に見せたいわ。

[@KingSteen]

[@Wolfeboy212]

Yooo I just noticed that while all these guys are working in hardhats and helmets, they're all wearing jika tabi!

[@user-bi9vs3dn5f]

服装もキチッと揃えたらなおかっこいいんやろなぁ

[@philallsopp42]

Utterly captivating…wonderful to see expert craftsmanship at work….if only we could build more like this in the US instead of the incredibly wasteful-and flimsy-stick frame structures that do not stand the test of time.

[@3bouldersurban653]

Are all the joineries hand made?

[@maxpower1399]

This was so cool to watch! Do the carpenters ever use wax on the joints? For easier install.

[@zhorian1071]

You can see them applying it on the joints a few times!

[@cookdislander4372]

I want a Fujimoto Carpentry Tshirt lol

[@juniordelgiorno5260]

Love the videos, this is how carpentry should be taught and performed here in the States. The Fujimoto T-shirts the crew wears are in different colors, does a specific color represent that persons skill level or job role?

[@user-wk6ye2jc4c]

Думаю Японское домостроения самое качественное

[@Rikshaw64]

So good to watch this master craftmanship in the traditional setting, what are the employment prospects for international tradesmen looking to have a crack in Japan ?? Just asking for and Aussie Chippy ?? 🌏

[@thecarpentrylife]

It is hard to say if it is possible for a foreigner to work in Japan doing work like this. I consider myself fortunate to have been given the opportunity to do this type of work. The lack of English here has placed a massive road block between Japan and international work exchange. I can't give any advice on what to do or how to apply as I received help from friends in Japan to get this job even though my language ability is low. As most foreigners in Japan, they come here teaching English only to change to other jobs after a few years of constant applying to other work. I came to Japan teaching English and found a way to this type of work over the course of 3 years. I am sorry I can not be of more help.

[@Rikshaw64]

@@thecarpentrylife thanks so much… looks like fantastic work, but very hard to get a foot in the door so to speak… love watching your detailed insight into a fascinating world of carpentry. Thanks for the words of advice and will stay tuned for later videos. Keep up the great work!! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@readysetsleep]

I'm surprised they didn't use the moisture barrier between the foundation and sill beam. I've seen other Japanese crews use it on their builds.

[@terencemalik6415]

Same here...

[@kristofp72]

No nail guns, no thin cheap wood, real wooden joins. Now that's carpentry.

[@FirstLastOne]

They do use them but usually at the roofing stage and trim work. You just never see the nail heads in the finished work.

[@kristofp72]

@@FirstLastOne still the focus is on craftsmanship

[@MOONRAK3R23]

I watch shoyans channel. I commented on how well built japans house are. Another person said that they only last 5-10 years. Because they aren’t an investment. I dont believe thats true at all. With all the joinery used they look much stronger than American built homes. Plus they have to worry about earthquakes and hurricanes as well.

[@santanat.7206]

I want one of those fujimoto shirts 😅

[@thecarpentrylife]

You can buy one from this website: ryofujimoto.bigcartel.com/

[@santanat.7206]

@@thecarpentrylife wow thank you 🙏🏽

[@stenandersen4696]

Amazing skills

[@mg3289]

👍

[@_Plutonyan]

Timber is more expensive in Mexico but perhaps our construction methods can be mixed. Will you come to Mexico one day?

[@thecarpentrylife]

If we have a client, we will.

[@veintiunico5326]

what would average cost be in USA??

[@dangolfishin]

They building a house or an office building?? Crazy amount of scafolding and crane work for a house

[@themadmallard]

Great video, and thanks for the subs, but why is the sound panned/weighted to the left so much?

[@thecarpentrylife]

Sorry. Something happen to the audio settings on the camera. Unfortunately we have a lot of footage that was filmed this way. Thank you for suffering through the video.

[@themadmallard]

@@thecarpentrylife eh, it happens. Maybe consider making it mono in post?

[@EmilNaydenov]

300mm tall beams or 300cm tall beams?

[@TheAmericankabuki]

What is the substance they are rubbing on the tenons to lubricate assembly? Soap? Wax? Grease?

[@thecarpentrylife]

It's wax. yamakei.jp/yuuten/ibota-yt.html

[@MeThorvald]

How those guys work and the quality of wood processing is definetelly a wet dream for someone outside of Japan (be it USA or Europe) that is thinking about building a house and is going to hire a company to do the work :) Question - how hot was it during the day that day? Also - I've heard at another Japanese carpentry channel that rain at the day of framing is a good sign 🤔

[@Jordan-dd5co]

The ultimate Ikea assemblage

[@95814]

Are the jikatabi just tradition or is there a reason they are (mostly) worn by the crew?

[@Boinciel]

They're very flexible, lightly constructed, and give good grip - they're pretty much what you want to be wearing when you need to be climbing up on wooden beams. I don't have ones with the hardened toes myself, but the ones I do have are quite similar to those "natural running" shoes that were popular a while back. If I had to be climbing a tree, I'd much rather be wearing a pair of jikatabi than a pair of hard-soled work boots.

[@95814]

@@Boinciel Thanks for the explanation!

[@markuslappalainen6847]

What do they do if one beam or pillar gets rotten from bottom? Can it be changed easily?

[@thecarpentrylife]

It is possible to repair a pillar, but it will take time to do so. You would have to remove wall sheathing, insulation, etc. to expose the pillar and then do a netsugi joint. This is a vertical kanawatsugi. I do not suspect this will be necessary for at least 50 years. Last house we replaced a pillar on was around 100 years old and this pillar was exposed to elements for all that time. As anything in life, things need to be maintained and taken care of. I think a lot of homeowners forget this. Owning a house takes work and up keep. Thank you for watching.

[@haydenhadfield5612]

To hell with listening to hammer taps all day 😂. Building these in summer no shade in hot climates and hammer taps all day yeah no thanks .. lol😅😂

[@hungnguyen-qp3ou]

楽しいね

[@HAMlLTON]

dude just straight up said ”from inside”

[@bruhder5854]

Wait this isn't your house? I was thinking you were building your own house. If not then what is your role in project? Are you an employee of this construction company, the owner or a sort of enthusiast?

[@gerryumali4281]

Kambaru mina san🥰🥰😍😍 From: YUTAKA KOGYO, Osaka Japan Sacho Oka

[@citizenzombie]

Realizing that every build and scenario is different, would you please comment on the cost of building a home like this versus using one of the major Japanese home manufacturers like Hebel or Daiwa?

[@thecarpentrylife]

I do not know the price of this build. However, I do know that the price of this house was quoted just prior to the wood shock. I would say that the price of this house may have gone up significantly in material costs.

[@citizenzombie]

@@thecarpentrylife Thank you for your reply. Sorry I was unclear. I meant, hypothetically, is it cheaper or more expensive to have a home built by a privately owned and operated construction company (kensetsu gaisha), like the company you're working with in this video, or a major homebuilder like Daiwa House etc.?

[@Ramash440]

When I saw the title I thought Japanese-American referred to the house's style, not the homeowners who will move into it. I find it hard to conceptualize traditional japanese construction with an american floorplan so I was rather confused.

[@villeveikko1]

Those japanese construction sites are so quiet that i propably go to sleep

[@daniellewis984]

At 22:13 dude is fixing to crush his toe. Stay safe.

[@khkajiw1]

Can you build this house in the U.S.?

[@hobah6158]

Bakalan lebih keren kalau ada time-lapse from Zero mas

[@JanKowalski-lr2uc]

Please, could you provide the name of those shoes? Maybe a link, if possible.

[@thecarpentrylife]

You can find Jikatabi on Amazon.

[@lennartswenson2690]

Overly complicated, time consuming, but beautiful Japanese wood joinery...

[@alexanderbanman9288]

It's not overly complicated. Japan consistently experiences intense earthquakes that make a specific type of building necessary in order to withstand earthquake events. For example, if you built a home out of bricks the entire thing would come crashing down on you. The interlocking joints create strength yet flexibility in the frame of the home, allowing for some movement and adaptation to earthquakes, yet still helping ensure the house continues to stand, after the earthquake is over.

[@deborahf3738]

We love our big rooms so we can fill them full of clutter.....yeah. I was wondering when you were getting some "ninja boots"...lol. For a long time I thought they were working in their tabi socks...it's all clear now tho. Be safe and Thanks.

[@NSResponder]

Beautiful work. I wish American builders offered this level of craftsmanship, but I don't think we can get it here at any price.

[@Rufio1975]

It's done here. It's called timber framing. There are exceptional craftsman everywhere. Just different styles.

[@prettynicefield1104]

say thanks to all the syndicate that why we dont have that kind of craftmanship !!

[@Rufio1975]

@@prettynicefield1104 What?

[@prettynicefield1104]

@@Rufio1975 a mean the union alway faster for more money and les quality

[@Rufio1975]

@@prettynicefield1104 Watch more videos man. Like I said, many people here do timber framing and it's pretty badass. Obviously like in Japan, that kind of work is more expensive but they do it here. Explore and find out. Don't assume.

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

I could watch this one over and over again. Seems like a good crew and a good leader. I want a company shirt!!! Where are you from and how did you find yourself working as a carpenter in Japan?

[@zamecnictvielesko8437]

Japanese was maybe the CNC.