Hashi-Making: Learn to make your own chopsticks

No prior woodworking experience is needed. By the end of class, every student goes home with a finished, usable pair of hashi they made themselves. The class is designed to be accessible to all ages

(11+ unaccompanied; younger with a parent) and serves as a welcoming introduction to Japanese hand-tool craft.

What you'll learn:

• The anatomy and design of the kanna — how it differs from Western planes and why it pulls instead of pushes
• Proper grip, body position, and safe blade handling
• How to read wood grain and why it matters for a clean cut
• How to use a jig to hold the blank and guide consistent planing passes
• How to produce a smooth, finished surface using a hand tool

What to expect:

• You will make real shavings and real chopsticks — this is hands-on from the start
• Mistakes are part of the process; the second blank is for applying what you learned
• The instructor circulates continuously to give individual guidance
• Students who finish early can plane a chopstick rest
• The class is quiet, focused, and meditative — a welcome contrast to a busy day

All tools are provided. Students use a shared tool library — no purchases required.

Event venue & nearby stays

Japanese Culture Center, 2940 N Lincoln Ave Unit 2, Chicago, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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