George Nakashima Woodworkers

A richly illustrated celebration of the work and philosophy of George Nakashima Woodworkers, the influential design studio acclaimed for its fusion of Japanese and American craft traditions

George Nakashima (1905–1990) is an icon of American design, creating exquisite tables, chairs, benches, and cabinets in his signature style of custom-milled slabs of wood with smooth surfaces and live edges left intact. Born in Spokane, he studied architecture at the University of Washington and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before setting off for France and North Africa. In Japan and India, he worked with architect Antonin Raymond. Returning to America during World War II, Nakashima was forcibly relocated to an internment camp in Idaho, alongside more than one hundred thousand other Japanese Americans. In the camp, he worked with master carpenter Gentaro Hikogawa, mastering the techniques of traditional Japanese woodworking and joinery. During the war, he was released with his family to a farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania, where he eventually founded George Nakashima Woodworkers, which carries on his legacy to this day.

George Nakashima Woodworkers is an essential guide to the studio’s history, philosophy, and unique designs. Defined by George Nakashima in the 1940s, the studio’s approach to design is led by a strict adherence to fine craftsmanship and a humble respect for the wood. Lavishly illustrated with stunning photos and Nakashima’s original drawings, this process book opens an intimate window onto the methods and artistry of this world-renowned studio.