Category Archives: Construction

A Kotatsu Table

One of the last remaining big projects for the house (how sanguine and assured I am as I indulge in, no doubt, wishful thinking) is a table for the horigotatsu. A kotatsu is a low table, often covered in winter … Continue reading

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Daiku

The carpenters are a reticent lot Working quietly, easily There is no great bustle about it No hurrying, no urgency They simply measure, cut and chisel In pride, but without comment And take their squat and smoke breaks With the … Continue reading

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Shikkui Walls

Things have sped right along. The foundation / earthquake-proofing work  has been done, the kichen floor has been raised and wooden flooring has been installed in the western genkan and diningrom. Finally the walls are being redone in the traditional … Continue reading

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Earthquake!

Of course, the number one concern in this renovation is earthquake safety. The majority of houses that failed catastrophically in the Great Kobe Earthquake were older structures with heavy roofs –just like ours. One of our friends suggested that dying … Continue reading

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Boroya

We came to the decision to rennovate the Yoneda house after getting the imput from three different firms. We set up a meeting day on one Saturday in early 2008 and one by one, the contractors came out and gave … Continue reading

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