The Soul of a Tree: A Master Woodworker's Reflections

The Soul of a Tree is a deeply felt memoir by the master woodworker George Nakashima that showcases his connection to the natural, spiritual and artistic worlds. Trees, Nakashima says, provide "perhaps our most intimate contact with nature" and "each tree, each part of the tree, has its own particular destiny and its own special relationship to be fulfilled."

The book is gorgeously illustrated with photos and sketches of Nakashima's work and imbued with his philosophical ideas about the obligation of the wood artist to revere the tree and serve as a conscientious steward. As Nakashima wrote, "Each flitch, each board, each plank can have only one ideal use. The woodworker, applying a thousand skills, must find that ideal use and then shape the wood to realize its true potentiality."

Born in the US, Nakashima trained as an architect and worked elsewhere in the world, including India, where an assignment at an ashram led to his joining as a member, and later Japan, which had a design ethos that had a profound influence on his work.

Nakashima’s return to the US led to his jailing at an internment camp in 1942 along with his wife and newborn baby and other American citizens of Japanese descent. While interned, Nakashima met a Japanese carpenter who taught him woodworking skills. Nakashima was allowed to leave the camp and resettle in Bucks County, PA, where he later built his studio and warehouses.

Nakashima’s work centered on the connection between his furniture and the trees themselves, whose sacrifice is made meaningful through the excellence of craft. Filled with lush photographs, The Soul of a Tree is as beautiful as any coffee table book, but readers may find its underlying philosophy as inspirational as its images.

"An impressive book that effectively conveys the textural qualities and sensitivity of this master craftsman’s use of wood." - The New York Times

"Part woodworking manual, part philosophical journal, this book is as unique as author and woodworking legend George Nakashima’s exquisite furniture." - This Old House magazine

"Today’s increasing reverence for nature, truth, simplicity and the independent spirit makes the life, work and philosophy of George Nakashima especially meaningful." - Town & Country