World Wood Day 2025 Kumamoto Commemorative Event – Junior High School Woodworking Competition
On September 6th, the Kumamoto round of the All Japan Junior High School Woodworking Competition took place at the Faculty of Education's Practical Training Laboratory at Kumamoto University. This year, four junior high school students from Kumamoto Prefecture participated in the contest, showcasing the results of the Monozukuri (manufacturing) education and their passion and skill in woodworking. The contest is part of a series of events commemorating World Wood Day *1 2025 in Kumamoto. Senior Professor Ping Yang from the Faculty of Education at Kumamoto University served as the head judge.The theme of this year’s contest was to create an object that would be useful to others or improve daily life. Participants began by selecting the most suitable wood materials for their designs. Over the course of four hours, they measured, cut, assembled, and presented their creations. The winning design was a thoughtfully crafted "chair" that prioritized both strength and comfort, ensuring it was suitable for a wide range of users. The student paid special attention to the chair’s backrest and leg angle to balance both appearance and stability.
The winner of this contest will represent Kumamoto in the Kyushu qualifier and may have the opportunity to compete in the All Japan Junior High School Woodworking Competition.
The participants, who were selected for their strong interest in woodworking, have honed their skills through the Technology and Home Economics curriculum in junior high school. They are inspired by Japan’s rich natural resources, which support the nation’s longstanding tradition of craftsmanship, nurtured from a young age.
This year marks the first time World Wood Day is being celebrated on-site in Japan, with Kumamoto University proudly taking a leading role as co-host, and the Kumamoto University Campus Museum offering its support. Among the featured events is the Temple of Trees project, officially announced on March 21—World Wood Day—during a special ceremony held at Kumamoto University. Led by renowned wood sculptor Mr. David Best, the project will begin on September 24 and continue at the same venue as the woodworking competition.
*1 World Wood Day: An annual, multicultural event that promotes the significance of wood and sustainable environmental practices, with participants from around the world. Since 2013, the International Wood Culture Society (IWCS) has hosted events in various countries, including Tanzania, China, Turkey, Nepal, the USA, Cambodia, and Austria, from 2013 to 2019, as well as online from 2021 to 2024. World Wood Day 2025 will be celebrated with a series of events across Japan. Dr. Howard Rosen, Chair of the International Wood Culture Society and World Wood Day Foundation, delivered a greeting speech for the Unveiling Ceremony.
*2 Temple of Trees: A collaborative project led by David Best and his international team, working alongside local participants in Kumamoto. The project aims to create interlocking wooden structures utilizing local wood resources. Construction will begin on September 24 at the Practical Workshop of Technology Department, Faculty of Education, and conclude on October 8, which marks the Day of Wood in Japan. The completed structures will be displayed at Kumamoto University’s campus and other locations across Kumamoto Prefecture. The project features six thematic units: Wood, Life, Nature, Culture, Future, and Joy.
Opening Ceremony
Working on the Creations
The Design Plan Showcasing the Participant's Creative Ideas
Every Craft Requires a Great Deal of Hard Work
Commemorative Group Photo with the Winner (second from the right)
Certificate presented to the winner, signed by the Chair of the International Wood Culture Society and the Representative Director of the Japan Wood Culture Society
Signboard Displaying the Contest