I wish I had a day-long, time-lapse video that I could show you. Without one, I don’t think I can really express what a marvelous performance our eleven-man carpenter team put on for us. I’ll do my best, though, with ordinary photographs.

They started up about 8 AM.

The first hashira go up.

Then a lot more hashira.

Then in goes the central pillar—the white-and-green wrapped guy. You’ll see him later (a few months later) in the living room. He’s round.

On to the second floor.

Looking good.

The slit is intentional. Prevents the wood from splitting later.

Four major pieces of timber slotting into the central pillar.

60-year-old bicep looking pretty good.

For a second, I had the feeling I was building an ark. . . . Maybe I am???

Imagining the mountain views to come.

Long-handled mallet. Pounding the hashira into place.

A bit bigger “tool” coming in handy, too.

This side of the house is just one story. Living room ceiling beams (to be left exposed, of course—to be stained with persimmon juice, of course) slant to the height of about a floor and a half.

Bang, bang, Terao’s wooden hammer.

And all before lunch! This space will eventually be a tatami-mat room.

And a big window will be here on the east side of the living room.

We knew the sun would come out—that it would be a bright sun shiny day.

I’m just sitting here . . .

. . . watching the wheels go round and round.

From the east.

 From the northwest. Banners advertise that I’ve used local lumber. About 5 PM. Time for a little gratitude–and sake. Good job, guys.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.