Listening to wood, carving its subtle irregularities into vessels

Born in Ishikawa Prefecture, Toshiya Kaku is a woodworker who deepened his practice in Fukuno, Toyama, where he studied how to sharpen and use kanna planes, chisels, and carving knives. His work has also been shaped by the influence of Jomon and Ainu cultures.

Each piece begins with rough carving and is completed entirely by hand. The finished forms retain traces of the carving process and slight irregularities—quiet expressions of warmth that cannot be found in industrially uniform objects.
Kaku places great importance on the encounter with each piece of wood, allowing the material itself to guide the vessel’s purpose, scale, and form. He primarily uses locally sourced timber, including trees that, for various reasons, had to be felled. From chainsaw milling and natural drying to the final carving, he undertakes the entire process himself. His practice reflects a deep respect for the life of the tree and a sensitivity to form that emerges through dialogue with the material.
In lacquerwork, he has refined his techniques through guidance received in places such as Wajima and Okinawa. For the interiors of bowls and cups, he carefully applies a makiji foundation layer before the final lacquer coats, ensuring the durability needed for everyday use.

In 2023, he held his first solo exhibition in the Kanto region at Domyaku in Kagurazaka, Tokyo. His vessels were introduced as works that naturally invite the hand and leave a quiet, lasting impression. In 2025, he also presented indigo-dyed pieces created in collaboration with Soi, an indigo dyer based in neighboring Hofu City. The combination of hand-carved texture and the refined luster of indigo opened a new dimension in his wooden vessels.