mattacme

I met the carpenter, Fujieda Hiro Aki, above, in the early 80s when he came to the US to present in a three day Japanese woodworking symposium sponsored by a tool dealer in southern New Hampshire. He was one of three Japanese master craftsmen who made the trip. All three of them became, to one extent or another, my teachers after that. I never served an apprenticeship, formal or otherwise, but was afforded the privilege of their generous sharing of knowledge and instruction in some of the particular aspects of their extensive expertise. Other things frequently took me to Japan and I always made it a point to seek out one or more of these wonderful craftsmen to try and learn more. Fujieda san was a kind but severe teacher (like many Japanese masters) who expected 100% of my efforts and attentions to him on the rare occasions when he could devote his time to my benefit. I learned so much about technique and theory from him that sometimes it's difficult for me to separate his influence from who I am today. He was also a very kind man and devoted father and husband, who swore that the Temple carpentry lineage would end with him, as he wanted better for his son. Glad you enjoyed these. I'll post others over time.