Final Proposal

This week, I have finalized my initial proposal to be presented to the Honor’s Committee. Given the feedback I received on my initial idea for a proposal, I have a much more refined update:

Firstly, I assert that something has been lost in a furniture, architecture and broad woodworking industry due to the proliferation of power tools, metal fasteners, and glue. I understand there to be a value in the disciplined, meticulous craft of making these joints in woodworking. Most importantly, there is a value in the Japanese process, that is not present in modern languages of woodworking, in which a greater understanding and execution of strength, aesthetics, and durability can be found.

There is a plethora of joints to explore. I propose that I select a series which are particularly suited to applications in furniture and architecture for investigation.

I would perform this investigation by first gaining an understanding of the application, purpose, and construction process of each joint. Then, using only the same hand tools available to craftsmen at the time of the joint’s development, I would create the joints out of wood myself, to understand this craft process as the Traditional Japanese craftsman would have.

Finally, with this newfound understanding of the application, process, and manufacture of these joints, I would implement them into some ultimate designed piece, the form of which is yet to be determined, as  it can only be informed by the execution of this process. 

The project itself is less about this ultimate result, and more about the process, as I come to understand the discipline of traditional Japanese joinery, and its potential for reapplication in the modern design rapport.

It is this departure from focusing more on the end product, to focusing more on the process of getting there, that I not only believe will enable a more fulfilling research project, but also a more appropriate one given the qualities I understand about the process and discipline of the Japanese Craftsman.