Finding Material in Unexpected Places
Twice a year, there’s a small expo in Nagoya held by a building materials wholesaler.
It’s not something flashy or widely advertised, but people who work in the field—contractors, carpenters, house makers—quietly gather there.
Rows of materials fill the space.
Not just standard products, but pieces you don’t usually come across in everyday work.
I go there mainly to look for wooden slabs.
Looking for the Right Piece
Each slab is different.
Grain, color, weight, the way it moved while drying—everything tells a different story.
Sometimes nothing stands out.
Other times, there’s one piece that just feels right.
That’s what I’m looking for.
Timing Matters
These places are also about timing.
Good pieces don’t stay long.
And sometimes, the price is unexpectedly reasonable—almost like the material is waiting for the right person to take it.
When that moment comes, you don’t overthink it.
You take the opportunity.
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