Traditional Japanese Woodworking: Mastering the Timeless Art of Joinery

Learn the elegant art of Japanese joinery from master craftsman Takami Kawai-and explore an art form as relevant today as it was 1,000 years ago. Traditional Japanese joinery, commonly used in building and furniture construction, requires no hardware, nails, or glue; instead, the wood is skillfully fit together with simple hand tools and a meditative focus. In this volume, master craftsman Takami Kawai guides you through techniques used by Japanese woodworkers for millennia. Readers will gain a thorough understanding of the principles of Japanese joinery, mastering its core tools and techniques with confidence. Discover the types of wood used in Japanese woodcraft and how to set up, sharpen, use, and store the proper tools for the job. Explore 10 main techniques: . Watariago (a lap joint connecting two intersecting beams) Hozo and Hozo Ana (a connecting joint with mortise and tenon) . Ari Shiguchi (an intersecting dovetail joint) Koshikake Ari Tsugi (a stepped, lengthening splice joint using a dovetail) . Kama Tsugi (a gooseneck splice joint used to connect beams) . Shachi Tsugi (a keyed splice joint connecting beams) . Okkake-Daisen Tsugi (a durable splice joint) . Kanawa Tsugi (a strong lengthening splice joint) . Dai-Mochi Tsugi (a lengthening splice joint) . Okuri Ari (a connecting, sliding dovetail joint) Once you've mastered the techniques, you can apply them to endless constructions, lending handmade charm and generations of use to each piece you make. AUTHOR: Takami Kawai is the owner of "Suikoushya," a design and construction firm based in Kyoto, Japan. He specializes in wooden architecture. Through his Craft School, Takami also organizes talks, events, and workshops relating to traditional Japanese carpentry, woodworking, and tools. https://suikoushya.com/ SELLING POINTS: . Learn from an Expert: Author Takami Kawai is a world-renowned teacher determined to share his love and knowledge of Japanese woodwork with English-speaking audiences. Steeped in Japanese craft traditions since childhood, he records his knowledge here in book form for the first time. . Trending Topic: Its clean, timeless look and emphasis on intentionality and simplicity make joinery a top trend in woodworking today. . Skill-Building Techniques: Intermediate woodworkers with basic knowledge can build their skills through detailed descriptions of 9 essential techniques. Rather than using prescriptive projects as a teaching tool, the author empowers the reader by teaching core joints that can be applied to a wide array of projects. 150 colour photos