Eastern Joinery: Traditions Built to Last
by Jeffrey Yen
Jeffrey Yen started his woodworking journey back in high school when his father first signed him up for classes at a weekend woodworking school in Taiwan. The school emphasizing hand tool usage early on and he quickly developed a strong interest in hand cut joinery. His favorite part of any project is cutting out the joinery and seeing the pieces interlocking one by one. Using hand tools requires both high levels of concentration and sensitivity – when the hand and mind are synchronized, it creates a meditative experience that is highly rewarding.
For the past year, he has embarked on a journey to learn Japanese carpentry where they build traditional houses with elaborate joinery. Such houses are built with sustainability in mind by sourcing local, natural materials including stone, wood, bamboo, and clay/straw for plaster. He wishes to someday build his own home with traditional techniques and natural materials. This joinery exhibit is inspired by a visit to a touring exhibit “Masters of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill and Spirit” last winter in Japan House, Los Angeles in collaboration with the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum in Kobe, Japan.
Jeffrey is a recent UC Davis graduate and teaches the Hand Tools and Joinery class at the Craft Center. He will be taking a break from teaching next year as he is attending a 9-month fine furniture program at the Krenov School in Fort Bragg. He wishes to push his design and woodworking skills to a higher level and looks forward to bringing back more knowledge and expertise to share with the community.
