Inside Nakashima Workshop: Crafting with the World's Rarest Woods
Exploring the legendary studio where masterpieces from exotic timbers come to life.
1Legacy of a master craftsman
The Nakashima Workshop, founded by George Nakashima in the 1940s, continues his philosophy of honoring the natural form of wood. Each piece reveals the unique character of rare timbers like black walnut, Persian walnut, and Honduran mahogany. The studio maintains Nakashima's original tools and workbenches, creating a direct link to mid-century design history. Current artisans train for years to master his signature techniques before working on client commissions.
2Global sourcing of rare materials
The workshop sources woods from protected forests worldwide, including 200-year-old Japanese keyaki and African bubinga. Each log is carefully selected for grain patterns and natural imperfections that become design features. The team maintains relationships with sustainable forestry projects to ensure ethical sourcing. Some materials come from trees felled by natural causes, adding ecological responsibility to the craftsmanship.
3The art of live-edge furniture
Nakashima pioneered the use of live edges, where the natural contour of the tree becomes part of the finished piece. Artisans spend months studying each slab's unique characteristics before making the first cut. Complex butterfly joints stabilize cracks without hiding them, turning flaws into artistic elements. This approach requires an intimate understanding of wood's structural behavior under different conditions.
4Commission process and clientele
Clients wait up to three years for custom pieces that start at $30,000. The workshop maintains a discreet list of collectors including museums and design institutions. Each commission begins with detailed consultations about wood selection and intended use. The studio completes only 30-40 major pieces annually, ensuring meticulous attention to every detail.
5Preservation of traditional techniques
Artisans use hand tools for 80% of the process, reserving machines only for rough shaping. Traditional Japanese joinery methods eliminate the need for nails or screws. The finishing process involves multiple layers of organic oils rubbed by hand over weeks. This labor-intensive approach creates surfaces that improve with age and use.
6Educational initiatives
The workshop offers limited apprenticeships to preserve Nakashima's methods for future generations. Selected candidates study wood properties, tool maintenance, and design philosophy for two years before touching client projects. The studio also hosts quarterly seminars for design professionals on sustainable material use. These programs ensure the continuation of artisanal knowledge in an industrial age.
7Challenges of rare woodworking
Working with unstable exotic woods requires constant adaptation to material behavior. Some pieces develop unexpected cracks during drying that become design opportunities. Climate-controlled storage maintains ideal humidity for different wood species. The team documents each piece's response to seasonal changes to inform future projects.
8Cultural impact and future
The Nakashima approach has influenced generations of furniture makers worldwide. The workshop's archive serves as a research center for sustainable design practices. Current director Mira Nakashima balances preservation with innovation, introducing contemporary elements while honoring her father's vision. This living legacy demonstrates how traditional craftsmanship can thrive in the modern design landscape.