Inside Japan’s Unique Wooden Shingle Roofing Technique - Part 1

Discover the refined art of Kokera-buki, a traditional Japanese roofing technique using wooden shingles passed down through generations. In this first part of our documentary series, we take you deep into the forests, workshops, and rooftops of skilled craftspeople as they demonstrate the delicate process of splitting, shaping, and laying thin cedar shingles by hand. From the careful selection of wood to the mastery of interlocking techniques without nails, this film offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a vanishing art that continues to protect temples and cultural heritage sites across Japan.