
Exhibition
When Practice Becomes Form: Carpentry Tools from JapanOpening Thursday, March 11
Reserve Tickets
As its first exhibition upon reopening to the public, Japan Society is pleased to present When Practice Becomes Form: Carpentry Tools from Japan. Opening on the tenth anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the exhibition celebrates the resilient spirit of Japanese architecture and craftsmanship through woodworking tools, architectural patterns, and models. Featuring a variety of hand tools and wooden models reflecting joinery techniques that have been used for hundreds of years to build Japan’s wooden architectural masterpieces (from temples and shrines to bridges), the exhibition unpacks the intangible qualities of craftsmanship, such as consummate experience, expertise, and the honed skills of master carpenters in Japanese architecture.
A diverse array of tools—planes, chisels, saws—have played an important role in the development of architecture in Japan, and this philosophy extends to Japan’s cultural heritage today. Integral to the processes of master carpenters (tōryo) is their extensive knowledge of the local environment and of wood as a material. Using natural resources and learning from their predecessors’ practices, they construct buildings using a refined methodology. Their philosophy of sustainability—for example, joinery can be restored or repaired as needed by future craftspeople—has been handed down over generations. The site-specific exhibition design, conceived by the esteemed architect Sou Fujimoto in collaboration with Brooklyn-based Popular Architecture, introduces major themes from the exhibition and is in dialogue with the gallery’s spaces, highlighting an enduring connection between traditional Japanese wooden construction and modern architecture.
To celebrate the reopening of Japan Society, we are designating March as TAKENAKA CORPORATION’S Free Admission Month. Visitors can reserve complimentary advance timed tickets online, dispensed a first come, first served basis.
View our visitor guidelines and safety protocols here.
Admission from April: $12/$10 students and seniors.
Exhibition-Related Programming

ONLINE EVENT
Carpentry Tools Demonstration (Online)April 2021 (TBD)
May 2021 (TBD)
Join a master carpenter (toryo) in this two-part series of demonstrations highlighting how to use traditional Japanese carpentry tools and techniques. In partnership with Kezurou-kai USA, each event will focus on a different tool. This is a free event with advanced registration required.

WORKSHOP
Carpentry Tools Workshop (Online)April 2021 (TBD)
Join a master carpenter (toryo) in this two-hour workshop as they demonstrate traditional techniques in Japanese carpentry and share strategies for tool usage. In partnership with Kezurou-kai USA. Advanced registration is required (maximum capacity of 20). Tickets: $50/$40 members

WORKSHOP
Family Workshop (Online)June 6, 2021, 1:30 PM EDT
This educational workshop invites guests to create their own architectural space inspired by the exhibition, using materials found in the home. For families and caretakers with children aged 5–11. Advanced registration required (maximum number of families 20). Tickets: $30/$24 members. Event registration includes 2 tickets to the on-site gallery exhibition.

LECTURE
Sou Fujimoto (Online)June 24, 2021
This keynote lecture by the acclaimed Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, who supervised this exhibition design, discusses his work and connections between contemporary architectural practice and traditional craftsmanship. Tickets: $12/$10 students and seniors; free for members. Event registration includes admission to the on-site gallery exhibition.