The Work Itself

Meditations on craft and work done by hand

Category: Process

Cedar Box

{see the finished piece}

The Source

Reclaimed, pt. 5

   

Reclaimed, pt. 4

   

Reclaimed, pt. 3

 

Reclaimed, pt. 2

     

Reclaimed

Kumiko Table, pt. 3

{view finished piece}

Kumiko Table, pt. 2

{the tenons} {the mortises} {the top}

Exertion

“At this moment a flower blossoms, a leaf falls–it is a manifestation of sustained exertion…Everything is exertion.  To attempt to avoid exertion is an impossible evasion, for the attempt itself is exertion.” –Ehei Dogen (1200-1253), Shobogenzo, as quoted in de Bary et. al., Sources of Japanese Tradition, New York: Columbia University Press, 1958.