G'day from Mandurah WA

[Shoji]

Hi all. I came across this forum sometime back. But today noticed a post about washi paper for shoji screens, so I just joined up and posted on that post.

I'm a woodworker originally from Tassie. yes two heads....lol. Cut my teeth at the age of 12 with my dad as my teacher. Worked for the blind and deaf society as a supervisor for the workers at the age of 17. This is where I started wood machining and manufacturing, mostly broome stocks and brushware blanks for the chaps to fill with all sorts of fibres from all over the world. These were then finshed and also being the storeman, packed and maintained the stock.
After this workshop closed in "88 I started racking timber for Gunns outside in the cold. Lasted 6 months, as they promoted me to the shed and I just stood there looking at another muppet opposite aligning the timber to be trim docked on a conveyer belt. Out of here.
Then I met Timothy Rhys-Williams who ran Rhys P/L down in Kingston. A designer from Melbourne who did all sorts of work of not your normal run of the mill. I was enjoying this. Then he promoted me quickly to a CNC machine to program and run this monster. A Shoda/fanuc 516. I also started to learn CAD and Cam transfer.
We churned out the most interesting work of my career (at that time).
Shoda 516.jpg
Eight years later, time to move on with my good wife to WA. Work came quick but not interesting stuff. Kitchen making is not what I call interesting. I kept moving on with jobs until I went to a private course to study IT. Eight years later in the IT industry, I started woodwork at home and made some shoji, etc for my new house. This lead to making some for other people. Hmm. threw my job in and started business from my two car garage.
This then lead my wife and I to a stint in Japan for a while. She worked at a country scholl while I looked for a shoji maker to take me on so I could watch and learn the craft.
Two weeks in Japan and I was introduced to Akihiro Sasaki San. A shoji maker two minutes down the road. What a character too! Not your typical Japanese guy.
But still drank
I ended up going everyday to his workshop for the next 12 months. I never knew what we would be doing but how exciting. Sometimes but not often I was helping in the workshop with Tatsu San making shoji and fusuma.
Mostly, I went with Sasaki San out on site. I was treat like royalty with his clients. Restaurants were a frequent as was site seeing. My poor wife was stuck in staff room.
The rest of our time there is thick with the good memories so I won't keep going.
On return to OZ, I quickly got setup again, started aquiring machines and later got setup in a small workshop. I built a Japanese style showroom and filled it with shoji and other woodwork I was offering.
Still going today and supply to private, commercial, architects and more. My latest new work is front doors in a Japanese look.
I'll post some pics at a lter time in another thread.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to woodwork talk and the info ahead.
John Woodward

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum John.

[verawood]

Welcome John

[MichaelGT]

Fascinating story John.
There is something most appealing about Japanese woodworking and Joinery. I am drawn to study as much as I can and take every opportunity to delve into their craft.
I will soon be toying with making some of their joinery.
Look forward to your forthcoming posts.
Michael

[John Saxton]

Welcome John.An interesting road you have travelled to get where you are today.It behoves that the old adage of "seek & you shall find" rings true if the desire to do so fills your heart & mind.

[JJF]

Welcome to the forum

[KeithP]

Welcome to the forum John.

Regards
Keith

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "John".....
There are quite a few members in Perth and across West.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork..
Cheers crowie