Natural Building:  Japanese Plastering

 

DESCRIPTION

An intensive training in traditional and contemporary Japanese plastering including history, plastering procedures, materials and tools with an emphasis on plastering fundamentals.

Course content includes:

• Constructing bamboo lattice work
• Fermenting and applying base coat earthen plaster
• Repeated practice of a typical Japanese earthen plaster brown/middle coat
• Finish applications of earth, Shikkui lime, and Otsu earth-lime plasters
• Building out corners and using jigs and guides
• Tataki Traditional Japanese Pounded Earthen Floors
• Combining Japanese plastering with western natural building
• Contemporary applications of Japanese plasters in modern buildings
• Polished Clay Balls
• The Influence of western plastering in Japan
• Practical applications on actual buildings

Two trowels, a 240 mm Hanyaki Application Trowel and a 180 mm stainless steel finishing trowel, and a wooden hawk, are included as part of the course fee.   These are the trowels that you will use during the course.  They are yours to take home with you.

 

Instructor(s)/teaching organization bio(s)

 

 

Kyle Holzhueter
Born in the US, Kyle has lived in Japan for over 15 years. In 2011 Kyle completed a PhD in Bioresource Sciences at Nihon University researching the hygrothermal environment of straw bale walls and building practices to prevent moisture damage. He has led the construction of over 10 straw bale buildings in Japan and is also instrumental in building the first light straw clay (2013) and light rice husk clay (2016) buildings in Japan. Kyle is a graduate of the Kyoto Plastering Institute and in 2016 became the first westerner to achieve the rank of first degree certified plasterer (highest nationally recognized) in Japan.

 

Sample Course Outline

This is subject to change.  

March 24
Evening Arrival

6:30PM Dinner

7:30 PM Lecture: Traditional and Contemporary Natural Building in Japan

An introduction to traditional Japanese architecture including timber framing, stone foundations, thatch roofing and plastering, followed by a pictographic exploration of contemporary Japanese natural building.

March 25
Day 1

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Tour the Ranch looking for clay, Polished Clay Balls

10:00 AM -12:45 PM Lecture: Traditional and Contemporary Japanese Plastering

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Lunch and Siesta

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Brown Coat Practice

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Free time or continue practice

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner

March 26
Day 2

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Brown Coat Practice

10:30 AM – 12:45 PM Finish Earthen Plasters

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Lunch and Siesta

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Mix Shikkui Lime Finish Plaster

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Free time

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner

March 27
Day 3

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM – 12:45 PM Shikkui Lime Finish Plaster

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Lunch and Siesta

2:30 PM –4:30 PM Mix Otsu Earth-Lime Finish Plaster and Brown Coat Application for Day 4

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Free time

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner