Nihonsan Tools and Hardware offers a variety of free events and workshops as well as paid classes and more. If there is something you are interested in but don’t see coming up, please let us know.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery, Monday November 25th, 6-9pm
This single-session 3hr class introduces the participants to mortise and tenon joinery with Japanese tools, including saws & chisels. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to layout and mark these joints, as well as cut and fit them. Classes will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
This course does require knowledge and experience with basic hand-tool woodworking fundamentals, similar to those learned in the "Build Your Toolbox" course. If you are unsure you meet the requirements, please reach out to classes@makegoodwood.com for guidance before registering.
Some task-specialized tools will be available, but participants will be expected to bring their own basic tools, including chisels, saws, and tools for layout & marking.
Cost includes materials used during class.
Design: Benches
This single-session 4hr workshop is oriented towards hand-tool woodworkers, looking to design and plan their next project. This session will focus on apartment-sized benches and stools, for sitting or standing. The class will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
Sharpening Party with Matt Connorton! December 7th, 1-6 pm
Sometimes we all need an excuse to sharpen our tools….and here is yours!! Join us Saturday December 7th from 1-6 pm with Japanese woodworker extraordinaire Matt Connorton! He will share his insights, tips, and techniques for sharpening any and all tools with Japanese waterstones and more. Join Matt, Nihonsan staff and instructors, and a bunch of woodworkers to have fun and sharpen away the day. You can join anytime between 1 pm and 6 pm, and we will do pizza and drinks from 6 pm on. Bring your tools and sharpening kits, questions and new sharpening technology to share - there will be a limited number of stones and more on hand to use or buy on the day of. Small suggested donation at the door to cover drinks and snacks and supplies!
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking; Sunday December 8th + 15th; 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Sharpening Japanese Hand Tools, Monday December 9th, 6-8 pm
Join this comprehensive introduction to sharpening Japanese hand tools (planes, chisels, knives). This three hour hands-on course will teach participants how to sharpen and maintain your tools using Japanese water stones. Students should bring at least one tool to sharpen during class. Purchase the class here.
Japanese Woodworking NYC Monthly Meetup, Thursday December 12th, 6-8 pm
The Japanese Woodworking NYC Monthly Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, learn joinery, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Check out www.japanesewoodworkingnyc.org for more information and to sign up for their newsletter!
Introduction to Kumiko, Wednesday December 18, 6-10 pm
Kumiko is a specific subset of Japanese woodworking, and a lot of fun for beginners and professionals alike. It involves creating artistic panels out of smaller stock. The only tool you will need is a Japanese chisel, which will be available if necessary for the class, or students can bring their own. Students will make an asa-no-ha or stylized hemp leaf pattern, one of the more important and common patterns. Purchase your seat in the class here.
Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup, Thursday January 9th, 6-8 pm
The Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, learn joinery, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Check out www.japanesewoodworkingnyc.org for more information and to sign up for their newsletter!
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking; Saturday January 11th + 18th; 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Sharpening Japanese Hand Tools, Sunday January 12th, 12-2 pm
Join this comprehensive introduction to sharpening Japanese hand tools (planes, chisels, knives). This three hour hands-on course will teach participants how to sharpen and maintain your tools using Japanese water stones. Students should bring at least one tool to sharpen during class. Purchase the class here.
Design: Accessory Tables, Wednesday January 15th, 6-10 pm
This single-session 4hr workshop is oriented towards hand-tool woodworkers, looking to design and plan their next project. This session will focus on apartment-sized accessory tables, including side tables, coffee tables, nightstands, etc… For the more advanced or ambitious, this project can also incorporate a drawer component. The class will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
Basic Dovetail Joinery, Thursday January 16th, 6-10 pm
This single-session 3hr class introduces the participants to dovetail joinery with Japanese tools, including saws & chisels. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to layout and mark these joints, as well as cut and fit them.
This course does require knowledge and experience with basic hand-tool woodworking fundamentals, similar to those learned in the "Build Your Toolbox" course. If you are unsure you meet the requirements, please reach out to classes@makegoodwood.com for guidance before registering.
Some task-specialized tools will be available, but participants will be expected to bring their own basic tools, including chisels, saws, and tools for layout & marking.
Cost includes materials used during class.
Introduction to Kumiko, Wednesday January 22, 6-10 pm
Kumiko is a specific subset of Japanese woodworking, and a lot of fun for beginners and professionals alike. It involves creating artistic panels out of smaller stock. The only tool you will need is a Japanese chisel, which will be available if necessary for the class, or students can bring their own. Students will make an asa-no-ha or stylized hemp leaf pattern, one of the more important and common patterns. Purchase your seat in the class here.
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking; Sunday February 2nd + 9th; 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Sharpening Japanese Hand Tools, Saturday February 8th, 11-1 pm
Join this comprehensive introduction to sharpening Japanese hand tools (planes, chisels, knives). This three hour hands-on course will teach participants how to sharpen and maintain your tools using Japanese water stones. Students should bring at least one tool to sharpen during class. Purchase the class here.
Introduction to Kumiko, Wednesday February 19th, 6-10 pm
Kumiko is a specific subset of Japanese woodworking, and a lot of fun for beginners and professionals alike. It involves creating artistic panels out of smaller stock. The only tool you will need is a Japanese chisel, which will be available if necessary for the class, or students can bring their own. Students will make an asa-no-ha or stylized hemp leaf pattern, one of the more important and common patterns. Purchase your seat in the class here.
Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup
The Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, learn joinery, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Check out www.japanesewoodworkingnyc.org for more information and to sign up for their newsletter!
Basic Dovetail Joinery, Wednesday November 13th, 6-9pm
This single-session 3hr class introduces the participants to dovetail joinery with Japanese tools, including saws & chisels. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to layout and mark these joints, as well as cut and fit them.
This course does require knowledge and experience with basic hand-tool woodworking fundamentals, similar to those learned in the "Build Your Toolbox" course. If you are unsure you meet the requirements, please reach out to classes@makegoodwood.com for guidance before registering.
Some task-specialized tools will be available, but participants will be expected to bring their own basic tools, including chisels, saws, and tools for layout & marking.
Cost includes materials used during class.
Design: Accessory Tables
This single-session 4hr workshop is oriented towards hand-tool woodworkers, looking to design and plan their next project. This session will focus on apartment-sized accessory tables, including side tables, coffee tables, nightstands, etc… For the more advanced or ambitious, this project can also incorporate a drawer component. The class will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking; Saturday November 2nd + 9th; 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Simple Staked Joinery, Sunday October 27th, 2-6 pm
This single-session, 4hr class introduces the participants to the concept and practice of round mortise and tenon joinery. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to use hand-braces, augur bits, tapered reamers and tenoning tools to add legs to a simple three-legged stool. Classes will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
This course does require knowledge and experience with basic hand-tool woodworking fundamentals, similar to those learned in the "Build Your Toolbox" course. If you are unsure you meet the requirements, please reach out to classes@makegoodwood.com for guidance before registering.
Some task-specialized tools will be available, but participants will be expected to bring their own basic tools, including a handplane, saws, mallet, and tools for layout & marking.
Cost includes materials used during class.
Design: Boxes
This single-session 4hr workshop is oriented towards hand-tool woodworkers, looking to design and plan their next project. This project will focus on small and medium sized boxes of all kinds, made using different of joinery and hardware. The class will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery, Monday October 14th, 6-9pm
This single-session 3hr class introduces the participants to mortise and tenon joinery with Japanese tools, including saws & chisels. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to layout and mark these joints, as well as cut and fit them. Classes will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
This course does require knowledge and experience with basic hand-tool woodworking fundamentals, similar to those learned in the "Build Your Toolbox" course. If you are unsure you meet the requirements, please reach out to classes@makegoodwood.com for guidance before registering.
Some task-specialized tools will be available, but participants will be expected to bring their own basic tools, including chisels, saws, and tools for layout & marking.
Cost includes materials used during class.
Design: Bookshelves
This single-session 4hr workshop is oriented towards hand-tool woodworkers, looking to design and plan their next project. The focus of this session will be apartment-sized shelves and bookcases (and similar-type furniture, i.e. shoe racks, etc.) in both free-standing and wall-mounted formats. The class will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup
The Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, learn joinery, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Check out www.japanesewoodworkingnyc.org for more information and to sign up for their newsletter, or contact Nihonsan!
Basic Dovetail Joinery, Monday October 7th, 6-9 pm
This single-session 3hr class introduces the participants to dovetail joinery with Japanese tools, including saws & chisels. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to layout and mark these joints, as well as cut and fit them.
This course does require knowledge and experience with basic hand-tool woodworking fundamentals, similar to those learned in the "Build Your Toolbox" course. If you are unsure you meet the requirements, please reach out to classes@makegoodwood.com for guidance before registering.
Some task-specialized tools will be available, but participants will be expected to bring their own basic tools, including chisels, saws, and tools for layout & marking.
Cost includes materials used during class.
8th National Kezurou-kai *In Kingston, NY
Join host Rowan Woodworking for the 8th Annual Kezurou-kai held this year in Kingston, NY. A great weekend that offers a chance to meet other Japanese-style woodworkers, experts and professionals, tool makers, and much much more! All levels of experience and skill welcome, and the whole thing finishes off with a hand planing competition you do not want to miss…contact us here at Nihonson as we will likely be carpooling up!
Introduction to Japanese Handsaws
Join us to learn how to set-up, maintain, and use Japanese pull saws. Participants will learn how to measure and mark their work and use pull saws to make cross-cuts, rip cuts, and more. Students are encouraged to bring their own saw to class, or can purchase one at the beginning of class - a number of saws will be available to use during class as well. No prior woodworking experience necessary, all levels welcome. Click here to register.
Introduction to Yakisugi (Japanese Fire Finishing), Wednesday September 25th, 5 pm - 7 pm
Join us for this 2 hour class introducing participants to yakisugi (lit. burnt cedar board) - a Japanese woodworking finishing technique using fire to burn wood to create a durable and beautiful finish on your projects. This class will present the history of yakisugi use, the basics of applying fire to your project, and how to clean and maintain or protect your work. Students are welcome to bring a small project or wood they want to try yakisugi on if there is time! No woodworking experience necessary, all levels welcome. To register please click here.
Design: Bookshelves
This single-session 4hr workshop is oriented towards hand-tool woodworkers, looking to design and plan their next project. The focus of this session will be apartment-sized shelves and bookcases (and similar-type furniture, i.e. shoe racks, etc.) in both free-standing and wall-mounted formats. The class will meet in-person in Brooklyn.
Introduction to Japanese Hand Planes
Join us to learn how to set-up, sharpen, maintain, and of course use this critical Japanese woodworking tool. Used to mill rough wood and to get a smooth-as-glass finish on projects, the kanna (hand plane) is a great addition to any woodworker's kit, and this class will give you everything you need to know to use one. Students are expected to bring their own kanna to class, or can purchase one at the beginning of class. No prior woodworking experience necessary, all levels welcome. To register, please click here.
Sharpening Japanese Hand Tools
Join this comprehensive introduction to sharpening Japanese hand tools (planes, chisels, knives). This three hour hands-on course will teach participants how to sharpen and maintain your tools using Japanese water stones. Students should bring at least one tool to sharpen during class. Purchase the class here.
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking; Sunday September 15th + 22nd; 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup
The Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, learn joinery, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Check out www.japanesewoodworkingnyc.org for more information and to sign up for their newsletter!
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking; August Saturday 24th and 31st; 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Japanese Woodworking NYC Free Meetup
The Japanese Woodworking NYC Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, learn joinery, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Check out www.japanesewoodworkingnyc.org for more information and to sign up for their newsletter!
Official Grand Opening Party!!!
Join us for our official Nihonsan launch party! All are welcome and there will be food, drink, fun, and tools!!
Introduction to Hand Tool Sharpening Class
This 2 hour introductory class to sharpening hand tools will get you set up and on your way to sharpening and maintaining your chisels, hand planes, and other bladed hand tools. Bring a tool or kitchen knife you want to learn how to sharpen, that is all you will need for this class! Kitchen knives should have a blade 4 inches or longer, and while the class is geared towards Japanese woodworking tools, western tools can be used as well. If you have any questions please just let us know!
Sharpening supplies including water stones and more will be available to use for the class, or to buy at the shop for those who are interested. You are also welcome to bring your own if you like. Sign up to register for the class here.
Build Your Toolbox - Intro to Japanese Woodworking, Saturday July 13 + 20, 10 am - 6 pm
This 2-session, 14-hour class offers participants a deep-dive introduction to the rudiments of hand-tool woodworking with Japanese tools, including saws, chisels, planes, and more. In this class, you will learn how to use, sharpen, and maintain these tools and develop good work methodology. The class will culminate in building your own toolbox for your new tools. Registration is necessary for this class, so sign up now as the class is capped at 6 students!
Monthly Japanese Woodworking Meetup
The Japanese Woodworking Meetup is a monthly get-together for anyone interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools. Join us to work on projects, watch demonstrations, explore Japanese tools, ask questions, and more! This meetup is free and open to anyone.
Curious? Email info@nihonsantools.com with questions.
Mizuhiki Class
Join us for a hands-on experience where you can learn the art of traditional Japanese Mizuhiki cord-making. Discover the history and cultural significance of Mizuhiki while creating your own beautiful cords under the guidance of experienced instructor, Emi Tachibana. Mizuhiki cords can become beautiful, unique jewelry, decorative objects, and more. This in-person event is perfect for anyone interested in Japanese crafts or looking to try something new.
Furoshiki Workshop
Learn the traditional art of wrapping gifts and everyday items using beautiful cloth squares called furoshiki. Our experienced instructor Emi Tachibana will guide you through various folding techniques and creative ways to use furoshiki in your daily life. This in-person event is perfect for beginners and anyone looking to add a touch of Japanese culture to their routines. Explore the beauty and versatility of furoshiki!
One 70 cm square Furoshiki included and is yours to take home!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Sign up at Emi’s website here!
Nihonsan GRAND OPENING!
Join us for Nihonsan’s GRAND OPENING from 12pm-4pm at our shop in Brooklyn! There will be snacks and drinks, demos and freebies, special guests, and of course tools for sale!
Free, and open to everyone — we want to see you there!