Wagatabon Workshop London 10/11th August

10 AM - 6 PM August 10 & 11th

The Green Wood Guild, London

After last year's sold out one day workshop, this year we are taking a deeper dive into the craft of Wagatabon. In this 2 day workshop, you will learn how to make a traditional Japanese Wagatabon from log to finish! Wagatabon - wooden trays originally made by the roof shingle makers of Wagatani Village in Japan have a very distinctive feel to them. In their off-season, Wagatani's shingle makers used green chestnut wood to make trays with distinctive hand-carved grooves. The village of Wagatani was flooded by a dam in 1965 and the tradition of making these trays disappeared with it. Few have revived the craft, and Shinichi Moriguchi Sensei is one of the most prominent masters currently practising and teaching the art of Wagatabon. I have had the pleasure of studying with him for over two years and have his blessing to pass on my knowledge to you. In 2 days, we will be able to make a large serving tray for you to take home at the end of the workshop. As well as learning how to actually carve the tray using Japanese chisels, I will also show you how to lay out the wood, split the fresh chestnut log, rough out the blanks, lay out the tray and finish the piece using Japanese planes. You will leave with all the knowledge you need to make your own Wagatabon from a fresh tree. Carrying on this dying tradition.

We meet at the Green Wood Guild workshop at Stepney City Farm, London from 10:00 to 18:00. Lunch is not included but tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided and there is a lovely farmers' market just around the corner.

All course bookings are non-refundable and cannot be changed once booked.