A Technical Walk Through of a Japanese - American House Build in Japan

A Technical Walk Through of a Japanese - American House Build in Japan - Traditional Carpentry

Рет қаралды 237,509

Күн бұрын

In this video, we do a short technical walk-through of some of the features of this latest Japanese - American House Build. We wanted to film this video to show some of the things that are often overlooked and sometimes asked about. We would suggest that not everything shown in this video is how it should be done, but what is shown is how it was done.
We recommend to use the information in this video as reference, but always follow your local building codes and regulations.
Much of a Japanese house is based on accuracy. The carpenters in Japan strive to get better and more precise with their work. This is evident in the structures that are built daily all throughout Japan. It is a labor intensive love affair that carpenters have with wood, but once a project is completed there is a great sense of satisfaction.
Looking at this house you will see a lot of beautiful and precise details that may (or may not) be overlooked by the average person. These details come in the form of the concrete foundations, the threaded rod placements for the hold downs, the joinery throughout the house, and the forward thinking for other features of the house like the doors and windows. There are a lot of moving parts in a house build like this.
We hope you enjoy this video. Stay tuned for more from the Carpentry Life.

Пікірлер: 324

@hydroaegis6658 10 ай бұрын

This is nearly furniture level craftsmanship on a house frame. Amazing.

@leprechaun7667 10 ай бұрын

Far superior...... this is Structural on a house lol 🤦‍♂️ Also don't forget the potential of what these buildings have to stand up to ( earthquake )

@billhiggs5941 11 ай бұрын

Stunning carpentry work. I have built some impressive houses in Australia and Canada, nowhere near this level of craftsmanship though. Japanese carpentry is truly elite, the pride they take in their work is inspirational.

@Chris-nt9lk 10 ай бұрын

Most Canadian carpentry for typical housing looks like a bunch of hacks compared to this

@zakhassan9722 10 ай бұрын

@@Chris-nt9lk same with australia, very few trades have pride in their work, from the carpentry to the plumbing and electrical.

@joseph7105 10 ай бұрын

A tip I heard one time for anybody building a house, is to hire the finish carpenter (the guy(s) that install your doors, trim, stairs, cabinetry, mantle etc) to frame your house, instead of hiring a framing crew. It will cost a little more, but there is no comparison between a house framed by an actual finish carpenter vs a house framed by a "framer."

@billhiggs5941 10 ай бұрын

@@Chris-nt9lk I work for a high end custom builder. We build some amazing houses, our carpenters and subs do great work, very small portion of the industry do though, and nobody here builds houses like these guys in Japan do.

@billhiggs5941 10 ай бұрын

@@joseph7105 I work for a high end custom builder. We build from start to finish, makes it a lot easier to trim the house if you've framed it. Most high end custom builders kep it all in house. It's the cheaper volume housing where it gets divided up and none cares about the trades following them.

@StaleEHuse 11 ай бұрын

Amazing craftmanship that should impress any US or European carpenter

@carter7289 11 ай бұрын

Not Australian, we are fucking proud our works, no one can beat us.

@edwardsisson3580 11 ай бұрын

@carter7289 come to Oregon, I'll show you how to do it the correct way and out surf ya😂

@peterpan7903 11 ай бұрын

I also like this kind of work very much, this mixture of carpentry with joinery. The problem in Europe is that the professionals here could do it too, but no one can or wants to afford it anymore. And as for quality, it has to be said that in the past in Europe, and probably also in America, very elaborate carpentry work was done. So elaborate that it would now be difficult to copy this furniture etc. even with modern machines. In Japan, it seems that customers are still willing to pay for quality.

@datrakapo4807 11 ай бұрын

@@carter7289 bit of a stretch there mate. our new homess are slapped together and start to look like shit after 20 years

@carter7289 10 ай бұрын

@@stn7172 Glad there’s someone understand it is a joke.

@shirolee 9 ай бұрын

So amazing to see... No nails or screws, except for those huge ones mentioned..

@richklee5464 4 ай бұрын

I can watch this all day long thanks for sharing ありがとう⛩️🎏🙏🏽

@anfernyjackson9013 11 ай бұрын

I'm glad there are still some places that respect wooden houses. I know a lot of American and European architects and builders constantly dump on wood as a building material, saying it's trash and disposable, used only for economic and low skill reasons. Not everyone wants to build a brick building and plaster walls.

@trail-coffee4654 10 ай бұрын

maybe not this type of house, but i thought the japanese tore down wood houses every ~30 years. In UK and New England in the US, there are wood houses hundreds of years old.

@chrismacleod9326 10 ай бұрын

@@trail-coffee4654My English friend who lives outside of Tokyo with his Japanese wife told me the same thing. However, the house they built was designed to last a lot longer so it may also come down to build quality and also the geographical location in terms of how many earthquakes an area endures year on over.

@WireWeHere 11 ай бұрын

We recofigured a sawmill and planermill in British Columbia, Canada to cut two square products for Japan, 4¾ and 5¼ inch in lengths to 24 feet from Hemlock fir. A job was created to rotate the best edge of pieces that are visible within a bundle which would often mean no knots. Beautiful stuff.

@JamieKunka 11 ай бұрын

As a woodworker and someone who has just got back from a trip to Japan I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying this channel! I did many trips to woodworking tool shops as per your recommendations and am really enjoying using my new Nomi and a host of other awesome tools. Keep up the good work! Jamie

@thecarpentrylife 11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

@brwsamurai 10 ай бұрын

Japanese carpentry is a whole other level.

@Justforfun-ek7et 10 ай бұрын

Wow, I’m telling you YT Algorithm is killing it! This is amazing work and beautiful art for a frame of a house. Can’t believe how beautiful it is.

@macfrankist 2 ай бұрын

Beautiful work!

@hide196944 11 ай бұрын

大工さんは地元に限るよね。乾燥しやすい地域、湿度の高い地域、両方の地域、雨の多い地域、雪の多い地域で軸組の構造などが違ってくる。なので大工さんの各地域の技術は方言のように多彩な事が素晴らしい。

@s315346 10 ай бұрын

地震と雨と雪の恐れがある日本で大工さんは建築できるのが確かに素晴らしいですね！

@dontspoilmyride4905 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for all the explanations given. It is a joy to understand the reason why every single joint, bolt, section are build ans installed the way it is in those houses. Unlike other japanese videos about carpentry and construction, now I can realise the construction method. Very interesting.

@FirstLastOne Ай бұрын

You almost want to have transparent walls and ceilings just so you can admire the level of craftsmanship that went into building that house's frame. Of course, living in a glass house might present a few problems... 😅

@AcuteStressResponse 10 ай бұрын

OUTSTANDING!!!

@chuckdavis5300 10 ай бұрын

Stunning excellence.

@wallycunningham5090 10 ай бұрын

Should be inexpensive and quick! DIY here I come!

@stoffes 10 ай бұрын

we have much to learn from japanese woodworking

@mauricebrown9094 10 ай бұрын

I have watched a lot of Japanese house building on utube over the years and I just adore the carpenters skills of building. I believe it is more superior than anything built around the world. Just amazing to watch. To become a true professional must take some time and training..

@elijahf111 10 ай бұрын

I'd love to live in a Super well built or even overbuilt house some day.

@mikebolin4311 3 ай бұрын

Wow, you guys are good. Very nice workmanship.

@chrismills1727 5 ай бұрын

Absolutely beautiful, amazing craftsmanship. I want one

@Tae1717 10 ай бұрын

The wood they use is so gorgeous it's a shame they get covered up

@inthefade 10 ай бұрын

I think a lot of it is left showing in traditional Japanese architecture.

@joelyoung8006 11 ай бұрын

I love seeing stuff like this. Could you one day do a tool video (bags, storage, transportation, what you use, what people like to use..etc)😊

@solac388 10 ай бұрын

Keen to see this too

@deadtreebark 10 ай бұрын

Japanese framing and carpentry is so perfect, and it last hundreds of years easy

@MikeHarris1984 10 ай бұрын

that woodwork is stunning... It is a work of art... That needs to be on display... such amazing work.

@Muus69 10 ай бұрын

American carpentry and framing pales in comparison. Absolutely incredible.

@MikeHarris1984 10 ай бұрын

The attention to detail and getting EVERY joint right, the windows at perfect 90° corners, the locking of each beam, the angle cut of the rafter and the holder and its not just a notch, but an angled cut. The rafters, every corner is chamfered.... holy crap, this is the most beautiful framing i've ever seen. I would love to see Matt from the Build Show do a walk through of some of your jobsites in Japan.... The attention to detail and doing it right, over speed and getting it done fast is just mind blowing.... that framing and woodwork is art, I would want all those details exposed int he finished home if that were my home... absolutely amazing work!!!!!!!

@seravi 9 ай бұрын

He did a video on precision framing from Japan: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pLmqdMWmrZqYm30.html

@annashepard6337 10 ай бұрын

Magnificent and beautiful.

@FoxyfloofJumps Ай бұрын

And this is why you see 100-200-year-old kominka everywhere, despite the frequent disasters, humidity, and termites. The windows break, but the house still stands if the bones are good.

@the_boatswain 5 ай бұрын

I am blown away by this design. We in the States are so level set on being fast and efficient, and just "getting it done" we don't do anything like this when we frame. Kind've a shame, but I get it. At least Japan is holding onto its spirit by maintaining tradition in modern methods.

@wallygoots 10 ай бұрын

I built a mill, bought a load of logs and have been making my first beams for my first timber frame. It's really amazing geometry and craftsmanship in your house here. Definitely something to aspire too. Spectacular work.

@guyprolly 9 ай бұрын

Right on, man. That's the way to go.

@jaysonschmitt888 11 ай бұрын

Great content!!

@byronn.2885 10 ай бұрын

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when a carpenter isn’t high or drunk and take pride in their work.

@Dan-nh8nu 11 ай бұрын

Fascinating stuff.

@KenDavies-qv3fs 11 ай бұрын

Fantastic

@seresamgala8125 9 ай бұрын

nothing but respect ... what an ancient and rich tradition of excellence!

@arthuresparza2617 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the explanations. Loved the tour.

@rich74424 10 ай бұрын

Exceptional video! Love the content and the explanations.

@react1200 10 ай бұрын

amazing work.

@kakman1958 10 ай бұрын

Just beautiful - typical Japanese craftsmanship.

@martiallan 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful craftsmanship

@zidnyknight3611 6 ай бұрын

Thanks

@persiancucumber9255 10 ай бұрын

The detailed craftsmanship is amazing.

@nicholasmoreno4807 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful work! It's amazing the craftsmanship that they put into their work and the forethought that went into that upper beam. Loved your explanation of everything and the Traditional Japanese names to the techniques.

@jamesdavidian7717 5 ай бұрын

Nice!

@charliekingpin8568 11 ай бұрын

Many thanks that's a great walk through , so understandable

@LaGrandeBayou 11 ай бұрын

Unbelievable craftsmanship 💯

@darrenmacmartin9392 11 ай бұрын

Great video, thank you for taking the time to make it!

@SanthoshMaruthi 11 ай бұрын

Amazing presentation, thanks for sharing and explaining the incredible workmanship.

@robthewaywardwoodworker9956 10 ай бұрын

Glad I found this channel. Wonderful piece of architecture. Thanks for sharing. Would love to see it when it's complete.

@mattro7107 10 ай бұрын

I don't see any nails (rubs eyes) Am I seeing things? Its just so beautiful

@baumdesign8237 11 ай бұрын

Fan and grateful we're!

@BarkTheAlliedGiant 11 ай бұрын

Stumbled across this channel a few weeks ago. I really appreciate the precision of work and the excellent videography!

@mr.x1510 10 ай бұрын

That's at a higher level that I've never seen before, Very interesting

@MrChazz965 10 ай бұрын

Amazing craftsmanship in this video that I have never encountered in USA construction.

@bradleytuckwell4881 11 ай бұрын

They really take pride in their work thanks for sharing

@ContentRemoved___ 10 ай бұрын

Very nice ❤

@JayCWhiteCloud 10 ай бұрын

Simply brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing glimpses into your daily work and the outcomes from it. Would love to see you do a video of a bit of your history, how you came to the craft, and what your goals may be...

@sandrawest2105 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your videos! I enjoy Architecture, and Japanese carpentry even more. Great show and tell👍. Peace 💫

@johnt787 10 ай бұрын

Love it, beautiful, precision work done with care and skill. Thanks for making this video, truly inspiring.

@samhartfieldlewis5247 10 ай бұрын

Brilliant The quality and reasoning for it excellent 👍🏼

@leprechaun7667 10 ай бұрын

As an irish carpenter off 65yrs, born and bred here. Im all about hand tools and joints and Mortise and i truly feel we are at a very very high standard, but in my humble opinion the Japanese are the best Carpenters in the World!!

@datsloth4108 11 ай бұрын

Best channel i've recently found. This is all so interesting cool. Would love to someday be able to build a house with these techniques.

@mdc503 11 ай бұрын

Just wonderful to see. But to see it with a quick explanation is great. Please keep posting videos.

@alanwilliamson2259 5 ай бұрын

Thankyou. It is very interesting to have the joints explained to those of us who admire the level of skill required. All the very best in your endeavours.

@cousin_JACK 10 ай бұрын

it truly is beautiful just wonderful

@ivanxyz1 10 ай бұрын

Goodness! Japanese craftsmanship is awesome. Respect!

@bennerdan 10 ай бұрын

I'm only 4 minutes into this video, of which is the first time seeing your channel. This is absolutely amazing. Please keep doing these for the sake of preserving history. Thanks for sharing.

@firstlast-ml8di 10 ай бұрын

with so much work it amazes me the homes depreciate so quickly in Japan. stunning work.

@lionsden305 9 ай бұрын

So American home builder here, I build in Texas specifically. Our typical build time is around 160-180 days.. I had a buyer that came from Japan to buy a home because his daughter had moved to the states. Older gentlemen, when he bought the home it was during the frame stage & when I finished the home. He was like what do you mean there is no way, there must be something wrong, he said in Japan they take more than a year to build. I said well your not in Kansas anymore. Incredible craftsman ship.

@lionsden305 9 ай бұрын

@@david-ow3nv likely 10x better quality in Japan. We have it backwards here in the states, everyone puts time first, quality comes 2nd.. they always preach quality, quality, quality… but their time frames and constantly bickering when you ask for more time says otherwise.

@deborahf3738 11 ай бұрын

Your videos are always so enjoyable and educational. Thanks

@thecarpentrylife 11 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

@chriskirkemo2522 11 ай бұрын

Your channel is phenomenal. Thank you for bringing us along and opening up this fascinating craftsmanship to me half a world away. Also kudos to you for developing great skill yourself.

@thecarpentrylife 11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

@Photoram405 9 ай бұрын

Art!!!! I’m a welder and I can really appreciate this assembly 🔧

@DingaLingu 11 ай бұрын

I have no words

@aurorajones8481 11 ай бұрын

Good lord. Just beautifull. Id want as much as possible exposed to see the craftsmanship in the structure of your home. You don't see the structure being so well crafted anywhere else.

@wrkey 9 ай бұрын

This carpentry work is amazing. For each house, there muse be a ton of sawdust made with all the cut joints. I wonder how the build time compares to the build time for an American dimensional stud wall construction?

@larrybgordon 11 ай бұрын

So awesome... great video full of 'Whaaat!' moments. Thanks for the extra effort!

@thecarpentrylife 11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@logans3365 10 ай бұрын

It’s amazing the techniques that develop when you design something to serve its purpose , instead of be profitable.

@jakezepeda1267 10 ай бұрын

This has to be a set. I've never seen such a clean site.

@loupuleff571 10 ай бұрын

Amazing work I have been an electrician my whole life and rarely see quality work it would be a dream to work on a house like that beautiful work !!

@juliolopez3437 10 ай бұрын

Such beautiful carpentry. Would love to you your style be blended with a passive house design. It will be interesting to see.

@stewietinktink8441 9 ай бұрын

Dr Horton needs to take notes on what a square and plumb wall looks like.

@Shanks344 11 ай бұрын

This is insane! What a beautiful job and amazing skill on display here. Truly incredible to see all the fine detail up close. Thank you for documenting it.

@cj.tj.8201 11 ай бұрын

This process is fascinating. The design skill and craftsmanship are impeccable. It is truly amazing how much effort an forward thinking it takes to build Japanese homes.

@w8stral 11 ай бұрын

How SOME Japanese homes are built. Just as how SOME homes around the world are built. There is a reason everyone stopped using this construction method. Yes, it is beautiful if you want an open beam construction interior, but otherwise it is a waste of $$$/time.

@sergewalthery7826 11 ай бұрын

Thank you live in Thailand.

@cara2u 11 ай бұрын

Great video, thank you! I would love to see the process of milling the timber before delivery to job site, how much machinery vs handiwork.

@gregkrazanski 10 ай бұрын

this is next level.... my god

@rolandgdean 11 ай бұрын

8:55 "Forward thinking" is what contractors here need more of. More PROactive makes for less REactive in the end.

@m249paramachinegun 10 ай бұрын

I would love to see how it looks fully finished - how much of this beautiful joinery is visible in the end. If you get a chance please do the followup video

@deathkid411 11 ай бұрын

I have been loving your stuff. How did you get into this?

@austinshupe9626 11 ай бұрын

Love your videos, you do a really good job explaining and teaching of what's going on. I wish we had this level of craftsmanship in building houses in America.

@TheTurtlead 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for this inspirational glimpse into the world of Japanese residential carpentry. How long would you expect this house to stand? I expect the roofing and siding will be replaced during the life of the house, but I'm curious if the frame might outlast the concrete foundation? The lumber is so clear and straight and the joinery is so tight that it seems it would stand forever.

@gajender8881 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for such a nice video, I appreciated the detailed walk-through of all aspects of the house. I had quick question. In regards to the large beams (such as the ones shown at 10:46) Is there a risk of the lumber splitting in the cracks there as the seasons change? Do you guys utilize bow-ties or other joints that keep the structure of the house stable even as the wood ages? Thanks again for the video!

@LukePighetti 11 ай бұрын

DO NOT STOP MAKING THESE VIDEOS

@adrianonunziata4272 11 ай бұрын

Obviously you guys are not very familiar with kreg jigs…just kidding, the craftsmanship in this video and in Japan generally is truly amazing. I’m a big fan. Thanks for sharing

@NSResponder 11 ай бұрын

Just looking at the precision of the foundation walls tells me that this house i built to extremely high standards. I'd love to see American tradesmen trained to this level and taking such pride in their work.

@w8stral 11 ай бұрын

There is a reason everyone stopped building homes in this method. Ultimately it is a waste of time unless the frame will be visible. If visible and you do not want to see steel as is often the case in Interior of residential, commercial, and Church buildings all the good framers use these methods for joints.

@markstivrins295 10 ай бұрын

Tons of north american builders and trades take at least this level of craftsmanship as standard. Megabox builder groups are not what you should be comparing to.

@Leathal 10 ай бұрын

Good/Fast/Cheap, Pick Two (as usual with this sort of thing)

@xostler 10 ай бұрын

Agreed I’m absolute stunned. Completely different level of craftsmanship from what I’m used to seeing…

@w8stral 10 ай бұрын

@@xostler Oh it exists in NA, EU, Africa, SA, Asia etc, but you have to P-A-Y for it. It is horrifically expensive and often with an architecture build change utterly unnecessary.

@MRSketch09 11 ай бұрын

You know, I didn't expect to watch the whole vid, but as a westerner, who's into DIY'ing, & has done some rough carpentry, this vid was interesting. The big thing was... the fact that so much "heavy timber" was used..instead of "stick framing" like I'm used to seeing in America. The joist work gives a certain, vibe to the home, like a "sturdiness"

@11TehDude 3 ай бұрын

Would it be possible to do some sort of interview episode with your crew? I’m dying to know what their opinions are on “American style” stick framing with 2x4s, plywood, etc. It must seem so crude and sloppy compared to what they’re used to lol

@jaaqess2525 10 ай бұрын

It’s always interesting to see how different countries build. Japan is a volcan island so it makes sense their woodwork developed over thousands of years to withstand earthquakes. Their joinery practices for structural buildings is unique and the only time joinery even comes close in America is for furniture and other decorative finish work. I’m America rather than spend the hours on sturdy joinery, we use braces and other stamped steel products to build faster. But the chances of an earthquake in most of the country are low, so production takes priority over quality or sturdiness.