Replies

1. 
   FWEditors | Mar 24, 2005 01:12am | #1

   Sign up for the 9-month course at College of the Redwoods up in Fort Bragg. Its a reputable school with a heavy emphasis on hand tool woodworking. And a lot of the folks to come out of there do Chinese-style furniture making...

   crfinefurniture.com

2. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 24, 2005 06:33am | #2

   Nothing about your question but I found this book useful..

   Chinese Domestic Furniture
   in photographs and measured drawings

   Gustav Ecke

   Dover Publications New York

   Pictures are from old plates and are only in black/white. Not the best quality pictures but I still liked the book.

1. 
   Keoki | Mar 25, 2005 09:05am | #8

   Will George,

   I'm familiar with the book.  It's a good book, but I'm not going to be able to make any of those furniture by studying the diagrams.  Then again...if I feel really ambitous.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 26, 2005 03:54am | #10

   but I'm not going to be able to make any of those furniture by studying the diagrams...  ???

   Why not.. I made some for a Chinese lady friend of my moms.. She LOVED them! AND from the book.. I DID NOT DO anything with carving.. I'm a bummer at carving...

   I have been in China several times.. I was surprised how small some of the really old furniture was..

1. 
   Keoki | Mar 26, 2005 07:10am | #11

   You have inspired me.  Maybe I will, but I think that I wil still try to find somone to make the process a tad easier.

3. 
   ring | Mar 24, 2005 05:40pm | #3

   keoki,

   Can't help you with the cabinetmaking, but on a related issue, you can find beautiful quality tansu hand-made hardware at http://www.tansuhardware.com

   DR

1. 
   Keoki | Mar 25, 2005 08:53am | #7

   Ring,

   That was a very interesting site on Japanese hardware.  I might use them for some handles..if I'm too lazy to make my own.  I actually make tsubas and other swoard furniture so making tansu hardware is definitely do able for me.

4. 
   yona | Mar 24, 2005 06:14pm | #4

   Hello,

   If you are willing to go overseas you should try the local Japanese and Chinese consulates. Usually they will have a cultural representative that will help you. Its very similar as to find a university somewhere else. The problem is to find a school that techs in English. I think you are more likely to find something in Japan but I may be wrong. 

   I am very interested to hear if you found something especially in Japan. Please post your research.

    

5. 
   SplifJoint | Mar 25, 2005 01:58am | #5

   Have you looked at Jay VanArsdale's japanese tools and joinery classes at Laney College? He teaches Saturday morning and afternoon classes. Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it could be a start.

   Also, a place to check would be with Joinery Structures in Oakland. They make Japanese style buildings. They may be able to direct you to someone that can teach you and/or take you on as an apprentice. It's worth a shot. Do a websearch, I believe they have a website.

1. 
   Keoki | Mar 25, 2005 08:46am | #6

   I will check those two possibilities in Oakland.  Thanks.

6. 
   jazzdogg | Mar 25, 2005 07:13pm | #9

   Keoki,

   You may want to consider contacting the folks at Hida Tool in Berkeley, CA; they are a pleasure to work with and have marvelous affiliations with several master craftsmen in Japan.

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.