Australian Wood Review - June 2018

56 Australian Wood Review

WOODTURNING

W

oodturning is one of the oldest

crafts in the world, but in many

Western countries it survives mainly

as the preserve of hobbyists. However,

in Japan woodturning continues as a

vibrant trade and almost every home

contains many turned wooden objects.

In fact there are whole regions and

towns where the economy depends

on woodturning.

It is not hard to find turned work in

Japan, but you have to know that the

term ‘woodturning’ is not familiar

to most Japanese. If you go into a

department store and ask to see

woodturning, you will be met with

a blank stare. But if you ask to see

lacquerware, you will probably be

guided to a rich selection of work

• turned wooden bowls, dishes,

platters, trays, cups, lidded boxes and

more – all finished with traditional

urushi, or lacquer. They are mostly

functional wares with no pretension

to being art (photo 1).

Japanese turning technology came from

China via Korea and grew into a strong

industry that has survived Chinese

turning, which has almost disappeared.

Woodturning

as a Living Craft

In the West, woodturning is mostly a hobby pursuit, however in Japan trade woodturners

produce functional items for everyday use. Story by Terry Martin and Yuriko Nagata.