Replies

1. 
   NormInFujino | Sep 17, 2003 05:47pm | #1

   I wish I could give you more esoteric advise about where all the tool gurus hang out but I don't know that much about it--except I do know that most of the chisel and plane makers seem to be centered in the Kansai area (mostly Hyogo Prefecture near Osaka). In the Tokyo area, the best large store is Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku/Shibuya, but there are undoubtedly better small shops around--somewhere. Also, generally good (not the best) Japanese chisels can be found at many of the home centers (Doit, Cainz Homes) in the Kanto (greater Tokyo) area.

     Perhaps The Rev (Scott?) will chime in here and give you some tips for the Kansai area. Sorry I haven't researched the issue further.

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

1. 
   ian | Sep 18, 2003 02:20pm | #2

   Norm

   Having visited Japan before I knew that different prefectures and towns specialised in different hand crafts or styles.  Dressed dolls come from Kanazawa, painted dolls from Hakata, the face carvings made in Takayama are very different to those found elsewhere, etc.  So, I half expected that there would be a region that specialised in edge tools, but which one?  Now I have a general area I'll see if the local Japanese Tourist Centre can supply more information. 

   Thanks for the tip re Tokyu Hands and the home centres.   Now all I need do is pick up a bilingual rail timetable and I'm all set.

   Thanks again   Ian

2. 
   ian | Nov 07, 2003 04:47pm | #8

   Norm

   Well I'm back from Japan.  Thanks for the tip re Tokyu Hands.  Picked up 3 Shapton stones for about 70% of the equivalent US price.

   Saw a beautiful looking set of carving chisels on one of the Nara tourist routes for ¥88,000

   Ian

1. 
   NormInFujino | Nov 07, 2003 05:22pm | #9

   Glad the info did some good.

   >>Saw a beautiful looking set of carving chisels on one of the Nara tourist routes for Y88,000

   That sounds about right. The good ones sure don't come cheap.

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

2. 
   Len | Sep 18, 2003 04:32pm | #3

   Ian,

   I was fortunate enough to be taken around by a carpenter while living in Tokyo. There is a store in Sunshine City that all the carpenters go to. I have tne address at home. (I'm at work, now). How are you at finding addresses in Japan? I'll have to dig through the piles but I might have the map too.

   I know of several other stores as well I found on my own. I found a lot of the hole in the wall hardware stores had some very nice chisels but were lacking in planes.

   When I get home I'll see what I can find.

   Len

1. 
   ian | Sep 19, 2003 04:15pm | #5

   Len

   Thanks.  Any info would be appreciated.  Finding addresses in Japan? - according to the Lonely Planet guide, even the Japanese have problems - which is why there is a policeman on most corners who you can ask.  Problem is I don't speak Japanese !  but I can follow a map and have found the local tourisim office is usually most helpful and will translate an address into Japanese.

   Ian 

2. 
   ian | Nov 07, 2003 04:38pm | #7

   Len

   Well I'm back from Japan. 

   I managed to find the store at Ikebukyru – after Tokyu Hands it was a bit like walking into an Aladin's Cave.  Having no Japanese I was a bit daunted but ended up buying about USD$65 worth of saws – equivalent to about $150 if bought through The Japan Woodworker

   Ian

1. 
   eric314 | Apr 17, 2007 06:58am | #10

   Hi Ian,

   I am in Tokyo for a week. Any chance you could find the address of the shop in Ikebukyru?

   Thanks,

   Eric

3. 
   mso | Sep 18, 2003 05:32pm | #4

   Country Workshops Woodworking School http://www.countryworkshops.org/ is touring Japan at this time, visiting various tool makers and other attractions. Visit their web site and click on "International Crafts Tours" to see the names of the cities where various craftsmen make chisels, planes, knives, furniture, etc. The site does not give specific addresses, but at least you can see the city names.

1. 
   ian | Sep 19, 2003 04:34pm | #6

   Thanks for the link.  If only... maybe another time   From the itinerary, SWMBO would want to come too  -  doesn't get much better 

   Ian