Join us in Mercer, Maine for four days Celebrating Japanese Woodworking!

This year we are expanding from 3 to 4 days, starting with an all-hands group timber frame raising and continuing the tradition of in-depth, hands-on workshops, expert instructors, opportunities to learn and practice with Japanese tools, and special events including a Japanese boat launch ceremony, swordsmanship demonstration, BBQ Bonfire Party, and of course the revered planing competition!

New for 2025: Group Timber Frame Raising, Lightening Talks, Scholarship Packages, and more to come!

Schedule of Events:
 
Early Arrival - Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Those who are traveling from afar and camping at the festival may arrive after 4:00 PM on Wednesday.

Tatemae / Raising Day - Thursday, July 24, 2025

The first day of the 2025 Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival is also the final day of our Summer Japanese Timber Frame Workshop: Blacksmith Shop Build. We want to share the struggle and the joy of raising a large timber frame as a team and encourage you to participate as much as you would like.

7:30 AM: Check-in Opens
Timber Frame Raising
Tool Tuneup
Timber Frame Student Presentation and Celebration
11:00 PM: Quiet

Hands On Friday - Friday, July 25, 2025

This year we will be running two parallel hands on workshops to maximize instructor and student interaction. There will be two concurrent workshops in the morning and two after lunch. Attend two of the four that interest you most. As most workshops provide practice materials we ask that you participate fully in each of your two selections.

7:30 AM: Check-in Opens
4 Hour Workshop: Yann Giguère: Hewing and Timber Layout
4 Hour Workshop: Jim Blauvelt: Layout for Hip Roof Framing
4 Hour Workshop: Jay Van Arsdale and Jason Forster: Cutting any Joint with a 5 Part Process
4 Hour Workshop
6:00 PM: Dinner
11:00 PM: Quiet

Saturday Workshops and Presentations - Saturday, July 26, 2025

In-depth workshops and presentations by masters of the craft. Designated areas to discuss, try and troubleshoot tools plus the vibrant planing practice tent!

7:00 AM: Daniel Pinder and Josh Slaby: Dawn Martial Arts Demonstration
8:00 AM: Check-in Opens
Jeff Bearce: Japanese Gate Design
Douglas Brooks: Japanese Boat Design and Construction
Douglas Brooks and Alex Perez: Japanese Boat Launch Ceremony
John Reed Fox: Cohesive Design Intent, Material Selection and Furniture Design
Brian Holcombe: Super Surfacer Operation, Tuning and "Planing Competition"
Andrew Hunter: Tuning and Oganna Demo
Jim Blauvelt: Christening the Forge - Blacksmith Demo
6:00 PM: Barbeque and Bonfire!
11:00 PM: Quiet

Sunday Festival and Competition - Sunday, July 27, 2025

Morning talk followed by traditional log splitting, hewing, and wood preparation demonstration for all. An afternoon featuring a planing competition!

8:00 AM: Check-in Opens
Dorian Bracht: Advanced Japanese Joinery and Furniture Design
Group Activity - Yann Giguère: Log to Timber Split, Hew, Adze, Yari ganna
Planing Practice and Qualification Begins
1:00 PM: Hand Plane Shaving Competition Finals
3:15 PM: Award and Closing Ceremonies

Register Now

Date: July 24-27, 2025

Location: Never Stop Building Homestead - 772 Rome Rd, Mercer, ME 04957

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