The Trentonian
Tuesday, October 1, 1985

George Nakashima, a world-renowned woodworker, was in formed of a 12-ton walnut log in Long Island by Frank Koziowsky, who has been searching for wood for Nakashima for about 26 years.

And, after viewing the log, having it cut down and thinking what to do with it, Nakashima decided to create an altar for peace.

Measuring approximately seven feet in diameter at one end and five at the other, the once-in-a-lifetime find is now drying in a plant in Northeast Philadelphia, waiting to be formed by a man who has spent many years crafting wood into naturally beautitul objects.

A Hindu monk, Nakashima has lived in Europe and Asia, and speaks a number of languages, including Russian, Japanese and French. Born in Spokane, Wash., he was trained in architecture, traveled the world for 10 years and pursued the craft of making furniture in India.

A compound in Bucks County houses shops, showrooms, and pieces, altered as little as possible and manually from walnut, adorn the rooms of the one-floor buildings.

The vision of using the huge log as an altar for peace came to Nakashima, 80, as he lay in Mercer Medical Center recuperating from an operation. Following the dream, Nakashima held several meetings to discuss the altar, and sketched an idea of how it will look when completed.

The log was cut 1 1/2 years ago into 3 1/4-inch thick slabs, each weighing about 1/2 ton, and is drying naturally. It will then undergo a "kill dry" process using high heat to reduce the moisture level, and will be ready to use in another year.

That's when the altar will begin. In his sketch, Nakashima sees the altar as a large table-like structure, 12 feet long and 12 feet wide, and about waist-high on a normal-size man. A foot piece, bracing the altar, will run along the floor, and possibly a sculpture will rest on top.

"My chief feeling toward this project is that everyone wants peace, some more than others, but there's no symbol ...nothing.

"A peace march a few years back in New York ended in air. If there was a symbol at the end that people could relate to it would do a great deal for the movement," said Nakashima.

One of his financial advisors suggested creating an altar for every continent, and Nakashima has thought of donating one to the United Nations, but has not received much response from them.

. "I would like to make it quite international and get the Russians involved but I'm, not sure how to start.

"I think the Russians want peace as much as anyone else. They're cognizant of what can happen," said the soft-spoken Nakashima.

Because he has never tackled a project of this size before, Nakashima said he will begin with just one, and see how it goes. He has already attracted the attention of many people and the local media.

With a list of international trustees, Nakashima has begun a fund-raising effort to cover the basic cost of the altar, which he estimates at $30,000. He doesn't expect o make a profit.

Realizing the business side of the project is time-consuming, Nakashima hopes to divest himself of that end and just devote himself to making the altar,

Nakashima admitted that the altar presents technical, as well as personal challenges, but he feels he must do it.

"Most people in my stage in life would want to relax. I feel so driven to do it (make the aItar).

"This tree asked me to realize it. If it can become the most beautiful and significant table ever built, the tree will be realized," said Nakashima.