Woodcarving with Yo Takimoto

Above: Yo Takimoto

Above & below: My project.
It kind of resembles a little wooden hot dog bun, but I was happy with it. I didn't stab myself!

Left and Below: Tomory's beautiful bird he made.
He had not planned on making a bird!

The bird (Tomory's project) and his nest (My project).

Yo Takimoto took up woodcarving approximately 15 years ago to combat insomnia. It worked!

Yo now travels and teaches his method of woodcarving for a fee of $25 per person for a 3 hour workshop. I signed Tomory and I up for one of his classes this past Sunday organized through Tortoise in Venice.

You arrive to the workshop, and choose your wood from an assortment that Yo provides. Yo suggested we start out with softer wood since this was our first time attending his class. I chose a Japanese wood called Kiri and Tomory chose Bristlecone Pine. After a quick introduction on to how to safely use the carving tools (also provided for use during the class by Yo), you then proceed to carve, sand, and seal (with beeswax or camellia oil) your project. The three hours fly by. Yo checks in with you periodically, offers suggestions and assistance.

Yo stresses that you carve without a goal in mind of the end product, that you let the wood tell you how to proceed. He says, "Most important is that you enjoy yourself."

It was so lovely to sit outdoors, listening to the wind in the trees, and to just make something for the pure experience of making it. At the end of the session, all the participants do a brief show and tell.

Yo has one more class this week before he returns to Japan for the summer- but he will be back in the fall. Tomory & I are already planning to attend another session in October!