I’ve got a handful of forged 240mm ryoba annd dozuki in my shop that are notably thinner than disposables according to my digital calipers
> And 2x4 stick framing with metal fasteners is also a thing in Japan, having gained popularity b/c of its simplicity in recent decades.
Agreed. I’ve heard nearly all new construction is stud construction these days.
> Most japanese planes wouldn't be able to handle Maple or Hickory, to say nothing of the harder exotics.
I often see this repeated in online woodworking forums but my experience here has been different albeit limited to kanna blades from two makers.
> I'd put 18th century european fine furniture against japanese fine furniture any day. It's not until the 20th century that you saw a decline in western skills.
Agreed here too. Furniture studies from that time period make this evident. Western tools from that time period don’t differ as much either.