Some Years Removed

This is 1 of 3 pieces in a mini-series called Some Years Removed which are altered Douglas Fir 4x4x8s.

I saw a documentary last year about I.M. Pei wherein a master Japanese woodworker explained the traditional method for dimensioning a sacred timber. The carpenter would carve away one year at a time, following the tree's growth rings until the timber reached appropriate size.
I was profoundly affected by this knowledge.