In this video, Japanese carpenter Shoyan documents the process of building a new 3-meter outdoor bench, known as an "endai," to replace an old, deteriorating one at his home. Using straight-grained timber offcuts from a previous project, he demonstrates traditional Japanese woodworking techniques. The core of the construction involves creating a sturdy frame with six legs using wedged through mortise and tenon joints, a strong and classic method that requires no glue. Shoyan details the process of milling the lumber, cutting the joinery with specialized machinery, and assembling the frame. For the top, he devises a clean, elegant design by attaching the slats from underneath to hide all fasteners, using a clever clamping method to ensure perfect alignment and spacing. The video culminates in the application of an oil finish, resulting in a beautiful, durable, and masterfully crafted bench.
Building a Traditional Japanese "Endai" Bench
0:00 Project Introduction: Shoyan, a Japanese carpenter, decides to build a new 3-meter (9'10") outdoor bench ("endai") to replace his shabby, 30-year-old one.
0:58 Material Selection: He uses straight-grained timber offcuts from a previous project, ensuring a high-quality, uniform look for the bench slats.
1:48 Wood Preparation: All timber pieces for the frame and slats are precisely milled and flattened using a super-surfacer (planer).
3:07 Traditional Joinery: The bench's frame is constructed using a strong, glue-free through mortise and tenon joint. The tenons pass completely through the support beams and are secured with wedges for maximum stability.
3:52 Classic Tools: Shoyan uses a 40-year-old benchtop drill press to precisely drill the mortises, a tool he hadn't used in two decades.
6:28 Wedged Tenon Technique: Before assembly, he saws a small kerf into the end of each tenon. After the joint is assembled, wedges are driven into these cuts, expanding the tenon and locking it permanently into the mortise.
8:01 Glue-Free Assembly: The entire frame is assembled without any glue, relying solely on the mechanical strength of the wedged joints, resulting in a very sturdy structure.
9:18 A Call to Subscribe: Shoyan makes a personal appeal, noting that over 90% of his English channel viewers are not subscribed and asks for support to help the channel grow.
12:21 Hidden Fastener Design: For an elegant finish, the slats are attached from the underside. They are screwed to thin support rails, ensuring no nails or screws are visible from the top surface.
13:22 Efficient Slat Alignment: To ensure perfect spacing and alignment, he clamps all the slats together between two straightedges before attaching them to the support rails.
15:55 Oil Finish: The completed bench is finished with a hand-applied oil to protect the wood and enhance its natural grain.
16:54 The Final Product: The old, worn-out bench is replaced with a sturdy, beautiful, and professionally crafted new "endai."