The "Kashimo Mokushoju" is drawing attention as a model case for regional-university collaboration. A rare global practice of student-led wooden architecture for over 30 years. The full scope of its activities is compiled into a book, published on March 25!

Kenchiku Shiryo Kenkyusha Co., Ltd. (Location: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Eiichi Baba), a publisher of specialized books on architecture, housing, interiors, and qualifications, has published the book "Kashimo Mokushoju—A Learning Place for Wood and Architecture Continuing for 30 Years" (Edited by the Kashimo Mokushoju Editorial Committee), which summarizes the entirety of the "Kashimo Mokushoju" activities, where students have been engaged in wooden architecture for over 30 years. The book was released in bookstores nationwide on March 25, 2026. **Kashimo Mokushoju—A Learning Place for Wood and Architecture Continuing for 30 Years** https://www.kskpub.com/book/b10159048.html ### Overview ■Edited by: Kashimo Mokushoju Editorial Committee ■Publication Date: March 25, 2026 ■Specifications: A5 size, 376 pages ■Price: ¥3,630 (incl. tax) (¥3,300 before tax) ■ISBN: 978-4-86834-017-1 ### Purpose of Publication The Kashimo Mokushoju (Kashimo Master Craftsman School) has been held annually since 1995. It is a workshop in a camp format where primarily architecture students practically learn wooden architecture, using Kashimo as their field. Every summer, 100-300 students gather from all over Japan to this small village in Gifu and spend several days building small wooden structures. Such activities have continued for over 30 years, with a cumulative total of over 5,000 participating students. The fact that the number of participants has increased year by year and the activities have become increasingly diverse is truly remarkable. Why has the Kashimo Mokushoju continued to be so vibrant for such a long period? This book unravels that mystery by exploring keywords such as , , , and , based on vast surviving materials and testimonies elicited from numerous stakeholders. What does it mean for people to grow, and for a community to become revitalized? You will surely gain hints that approach the essence of these questions from this book. ### Table of Contents First-Time Kashimo Mokushoju / Sayuri Fujimaki, Tetsuya Masaki Kashimo Mokushoju Glossary Introduction / Kiwamu Yanagisawa **Chapter 1: Introduction: What is Kashimo Mokushoju?** Mokushoju, be eternal! / Shuji Funō Kashimo that nurtured Mokushoju / Kiwamu Yanagisawa A Year of Mokushoju / Mayu Matsui History of Kashimo Mokushoju: From its founding to 2025 / Tetsuya Masaki Students learning wood and mountains are the next generation of mountain guardians / Tetsuro Uchimaki Kashimo's space-time and the people who gather / Tomoya Sano Outcomes brought by Mokushoju / Kunio Ota **Chapter 2: Wood: Mokushoju as the Gateway to Wooden Architecture** 16 Selected Works Comprehensive List of Mokushoju Works (1997-2024) [COLUMN] Ojatta-an and Sakura-so / Masahiro Miyamoto Kashimo's Last Woodsman and Mokushoju / Mariko Ujike Understanding Kashimo's Lumber: Visit to Maruwai Sawmill / Tetsuya Masaki The Present and Practice of Evolving Wooden Architecture: Interviews with Hiroki Akiyoshi, Masahiro Inayama, Noboru Yasui / Maki Fujimura Between Mountains and Rivers: Kashimo Mokushoju Seen Through Climate, Production, and Photographs **Chapter 3: Learning: Mokushoju as a Place of Learning** Mokushoju's Original Intentions and Development / Koichi Fujisawa What Students Learned at Mokushoju (1) Wata-ai Period / Takashi Ikejiri What Students Learned at Mokushoju (2) Yakata Period / Yusuke Iida What Students Learned at Mokushoju (3) Matsuya Period / Kenta Tamura [Roundtable Discussion] Mokushoju as a Place of Learning Three Mokushoju Schools, and Wooden Architecture Education / Fumiko Misawa Student Learning and Stories Through Wooden Craftsmanship / Tsuneo Toda Expectations for Architects Raised by Mokushoju / Toshihito Yokouchi An Invitation to a Life of Continuous Creation / Tadashi Kono Kashimo Mokushoju Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic / Mayu Matsui [COLUMN] Mokushoju After Corona / Daiki Sagiyama **Chapter 4: Region: Mokushoju for the Community** [INTERVIEW] Has Kashimo Changed Due to Mokushoju? From Mokushoju to Regional-University Collaboration / Setsuji Aoyama On the Occasion of Publishing the 30th Anniversary Book of Kashimo Mokushoju / Hitoshi Oguri [INTERVIEW] We Want Mokushoju Students to Be Successful Throughout Japan / Norikazu Nakajima Establishment of the "Patron System" / Masao Ando School Forest Project: Where Students and Community First Honestly Interacted / Koki Gushiken, Nao Yoda, Wataru Baba, Tetsuya Masaki Kashimo Mokushoju's Operational Structure and Accounting / Kiwamu Yanagisawa [COLUMN] Mokushoju Student's Wallet / Ippei Ibarada [Roundtable Discussion] Why Does Kashimo Continue Mokushoju? Mokushoju's 30 Years from the Perspective of Operational Staff Mokushoju Student Tries Moving to Kashimo / Kanae Harada Winter Mokushoju: Expansion of Activities Throughout the Year / Mariko Ujike [COLUMN] New Year's Eve in Kashimo / Shintaro Tabuchi **Chapter 5: People: Mokushoju for Me** The Joy of Creating Something with Your Own Hands / Kazuya Morita Mokushoju from Both Student and Supervisor Perspectives / Yasuhiro Hirasa The Freedom of Wooden Architecture Learned at Mokushoju / Shigeri Uotani "Kashimo" to "Sado" / Tadashi Hirahara From Round Plane to BIM / Shuhei Tazawa Connecting Forests, Towns, and People / Asami Yoshimura Considering the Meaning of Learning in Mountainous Regions / Ryoko Nakazono A Future Working with Friends / Naooki Ienaga Utilizing Mokushoju Experience in Practical Research and Educational Activities / Osamu Doi Activities Expanded Through Connections with Kashimo / Takeshi Terasawa Kashimo, which Welcomed Me Back / Hiroshi Terauchi Mutual Aid Initiatives in Disaster-Stricken Areas: Shiga Prefectural University Wood Revitalization Project / Yuki Inoue More Eloquent Than My Poor French / Shota Yamamoto The Forest Girl Who Wanted to Be a Carpenter / Mayu Matsui From Meijiza to America: A Design-Build Journey / Akito Yamamoto Becoming Kashimo's Idol! / Yuko Suzuka [Survey] We Asked Kashimo Mokushoju Alumni! **Reference Section** Operational Structure / Participating Students' Affiliated Schools / Overview of Participating Teams / Overview of Construction Companies and Sawmills / List of Materials, Records, and Awards Editorial Committee Profiles / Afterword [Appendix] Works Map / Mokushoju Timeline (1991-2024) ### Author Profile Kashimo Mokushoju Editorial Committee Representative: Kiwamu Yanagisawa Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1975. After serving as representative of K. Yanagisawa Architects and Associate Professor at Meijo University, he took his current position in 2017. PhD (Engineering). Class 1 Architect. In addition to designing houses and renovations, he is involved in research on traditional Asian residential spaces and living experiences. His publications include "Introduction to Housing Planning: Culture, History, and Space Surrounding Homes" and "Recommendations for Living Experience Interviews". ### Company Profile Company Name: Kenchiku Shiryo Kenkyusha Co., Ltd. Representative: Eiichi Baba, President and Representative Director Location: 2-50-1 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0014, Japan Founded: August 1969 Business Activities: Publishing specialized magazines on architecture, housing, interiors, qualifications, etc., operating schools for obtaining architecture-related qualifications, etc. URL: https://www.ksknet.co.jp/