Explore Japan

In Nara’s Asuka district, where Japan’s capital was located during the 7th century, you’ll find Horyuji Temple, home to the oldest wooden buildings on earth, still standing after 1,300 years. During extensive repairs in the Showa period, attention turned once again to the kanna, or Japanese plane, and its role in maintaining the surfaces of wooden buildings. Expert carpenters from across Japan gathered in Aichi Prefecture to compete in a kanna competition, seeing who could create the thinnest shavings of wood. There, we met with a legendary kanna master and three-time winner of the contest. Using cutting-edge video technology, we’ll reveal the master’s techniques, which lend durability to building materials. In the workshop of Chiyozuru, a brand that has won favor with skilled carpenters, we’ll reveal the essential skills that go into crafting a kanna. This program uses the latest measuring instruments to illuminate the sophistication of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.