Hayasta’s Year: The Seasonal Work of a Woodworking Craftsman and Daily Life in the Workshop

Winter Work: Sourcing Raw Logs and Preparing Wood

Winter work is extremely important for woodworking. Specifically, broadleaf trees shed their leaves and stop absorbing water in winter, making it the best time to harvest the wood. Trees cut during this period are less prone to mold and pests, making them ideal for use. Winter is when many logs gather in the raw wood market, so I frequently visit the market to find good wood and participate in auctions.

Another characteristic task in winter is making curved spindles for furniture. A spindle is a cylindrical, elongated wooden piece used in chairs and other furniture. This requires boiling the wood in a large pot of water before bending it, which is a meticulous process.

With the extreme temperature differences in winter, I must carefully continue my work.

Spring Work: Sawing and Managing Planks

In spring, I start sawing the logs that were sourced in winter. The planks are still wet, so it’s important to dry them as soon as possible in a well-ventilated area. I stack them with battens and cover them with tin roofing to prepare for the rainy season. This prevents the wood from warping or twisting due to moisture. Spring is also the time to check the stock of wood and assess which wood is suitable for which type of furniture.

Rainy Season Work: Applying Lacquer and Tool Maintenance

During the rainy season, the humidity is high and the temperature is about 20°C, making it the perfect time for applying lacquer (urushi) to works like prototypes and small items for exhibitions. The lacquer dries quickly in this environment, so it’s crucial to focus on this work during this period.

Additionally, tool maintenance is done during this season. I regularly sharpen tools like planes and chisels, but I also make sure to adjust those tools that aren’t frequently used. If I don’t touch them once a year, I forget how to handle them, so regular maintenance is essential to maintain the quality of my work.

Summer Work: Drying and Preparation

In the hot summer, it’s mainly the season for preparation. I shave the dried rough boards and make parts for chairs. Since the humidity is high in summer, the wood expands, and when used in the fall or winter, it can shrink. Therefore, it’s essential to properly prepare during the summer. Also, especially for wide boards that are more susceptible to humidity, I apply measures to prevent warping.

Autumn Work: Exhibition Preparation and Firewood Splitting

In autumn, I focus on making prototypes for exhibitions. A few times a year, we hold exhibitions where we showcase new designs and materials. Autumn is also the season for splitting firewood and tidying up the workshop. I prepare firewood for the cold winter ahead.

Summary: The Importance of Year-Round Woodworking

In addition to these seasonal tasks, I also make custom furniture throughout the year, tidy up the workshop, repair buildings, and cut grass—all by myself.

This is the flow of work at Hayama Woodworks throughout the year. With each season comes specific tasks, and I proceed with them carefully and methodically. Wood is a natural material, and it’s highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Understanding this and working with the right timing is extremely important to me.

For those interested in woodworking or those who want to try DIY, I encourage you to take this yearly flow into consideration. Every season, proper preparation ensures high-quality furniture.

At Hayama Woodworks, we offer furniture made with great care. Please consider joining us in our DIY workshops and experience the charm of woodworking firsthand.

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