Repairing a Damaged Post the Traditional Way

I was asked if I could repair a damaged post with a Kanawa Tsugi (scarf joint).
Not wanting the post to directly touch the ground like how it was previously, the client picked a stone from their garden.
Marking out the height and joinery, adjusting the slanted post, cutting the joinery, and scribing onto the stone.
There were several aspects of the work in which I only had a little or almost no experience so the work took longer than I hoped, but thankfully the overall process went smoothly and I managed to finish everything within the day, with a result just as I imagined (or perhaps even better).
Most of all, the client was delighted with it and I hope it makes their house feel a touch more special.
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#japanesewoodworking #traditionaljoineries #asmr #handtools #woodworking #woodjoinery #finefurniture #finewoodworking

[@hughelliott4656]

Thanks! You’ve done an amazing job of presenting a vanishing art. It’s this kind of documentary that keeps this mastery alive and opens closed eyes to its value.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you for your kind comment and the generous super thanks! It is very encouraging to hear! 😊 Btw sorry for my late reply, I didn’t realise your comment until now.

[@jdmjesus6103]

The engineer in me loves this joint. It's very clever. It looks to be about as strong as a contiguous piece of wood in all directions, the way it puts the wood in tension and compression like it would be were it one piece is amazing. None of it is for show. And that makes it beautiful.

[@The6568]

In France we use a "trait de Jupiter".

[@Dazza19746]

In Scotland we use a a locked scarf joint, not as advanced, but it does have folding wedges which is a Breyer adaptation than the square peg here

[@JohnDoe-yq9rt]

Too bad engineers and architects in the West don’t care about beauty. Nothing but square eyesores.

[@Evolucion7]

I love this philosophy of retaining as much of the original as possible, and instead of hiding the repair, you make the repair a thing of beauty. Much in the same way as kintsugi repairs to broken pottery. It's ecologically sound, beautiful to behold, and a refreshing way to think about things.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that 😊🙌

[@voidborn-one]

I absolutely adore that this is a practical project and where it made life easier you used power tools. The art is most beautiful where it meets the real life.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Hello my friend

[@ikust007]

Totally agree. And he is a humble and talented gentleman.

[@domward8352]

Very much so, it's not simply a demonstration it's seeing it in its practical, real-life application.

[@Dedeseptul]

Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your content. Sharing the traditional Japanese way of carpentry while incorporating it in work projects is just so impressive. Also here in Germany it would be unthinkable to fix an old post in such a complicated manner. In most of the cases it would just be replaced. It makes me happy to see that people still believe in the value of things that last!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you for your kind comment 😊🙌

[@andersonlong7709]

This is an inspiration for carpenters and woodworkers around the world and thank you for keeping the highest integrity of Japanese carpentry alive. I was fortunate as a young carpenter over 45 years ago to have been exposed and inspired by Japanese joinery, and would say that I built a few houses using it. But that wouldn’t be entirely accurate, as it was those few houses that built me instead. Thank you.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you for the kind comment

[@SouthernItalyHomestead]

Impressive! I love the mentality of repairing old structures rather than replacing.

[@user-lk1df5lh2k]

Japanese quality is always at it is best👍

[@travelling_stephen]

Japanese carpentry is brilliant I could sit and watch it all day, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that! Thanks Stephen!

[@AndreasPratama2030]

I can't even cut paper straightly.. What a craft. This is so great.

[@Zie_carpentry]

☺👍👍👍

[@ricos1497]

Beautiful repair job, looks better than the original. It's fantastic that people are willing to pay for this level of repair, which enhances the existing whilst leaving a story behind detailing the change. I've done a handful of these scarf joints recently for a project in the house and they turned out nicely (nowhere near as accurate and clean as yours). I was doing it in miniature scale on long thin spindles for a clothes drier, and had to use 1/8th inch chisels, so it was a little difficult for my first attempt. The marking out took a while to get my head around. Especially with the notched (shaped like a T) parts, which add to the dimension of the joint but don't get cut out until last. I got there in the end, and instead of just replicating, I made sure I cut each joint like it was my first in order to try and get the method into my brain! Your videos are inspiring, so thanks!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks - it’s great to hear your story 😊

[@deldridg]

Very inspring Rico and thanks for your note here. I am keen to do the same. My chisels are Swiss (Pfeil), not Japanese so I hope they will work! At least they're sharpened with Japanese water stones... I love my Japanese saws too. If only I had a hint of Japanese craftsmanship about me... Cheers from Sydney - Dave

[@ricos1497]

@@deldridg thanks Dave. I used British made chisels and a gents saw for mine. As long as you can saw straight and sharpen well, you're good to go. A nice straight grained wood is best, and stay well clear of knots if possible. Pfeil make some fantastic tools, I some of their gouges for carving, and they hold a great edge. They're quite expensive in the UK, so I only have a few.

[@deldridg]

@@ricos1497 I'm sure you made a fine job of it! Decent tools here are not cheap either so I've built up a modest collection over some time, trying to develop a level of ability with each one as I go. With a small but growing collection of beautiful timbers there's always an opportunity, given the time constraints on a dad these days, to try to make something special. Such a lovely pursuit and now I can join you and add scarf joints to the aspirational list!

[@zachwhite6524]

SUGOI!!! This is amazing! Thank you for posting

[@T-goet]

❤️Impressive! You are such a consummate craftsman! I am a stone Mason in Seattle. I have a huge appreciation for your talent/talents!👊🏻 I really enjoy your videos! I come home from working all day… and then watch videos of people like you working😆 And… I play my guitar/sing/write songs. I believe that there is a transferable essence in Artisan trades/skills that (dove-tail😉) into the process of songwriting/music. Tangible talents DO inform more intangible talents. Inspiration is all around us✨🙌

[@tatovive]

That was awesome. I really enjoyed the ‘real world’ repair. Thank you

[@BenSeibel]

Don’t know why watching the masterful crafting of this beautiful 3D splice joint is so spellbinding but I love it. Setting the stone in mortar to raise the wood base from water, carving the wood base to match the stone profile, resetting the repaired column and setting the joint with an angled dowl. Beautiful.

[@harrisonstoliker4932]

I was just reading a book about japanese architecture from the late 1800's. where they detailed this type of post, one that's repaired or intentionally fitted to a stone. Although I believe it said that the stones in its examples were round, smooth stones from the ocean or rivers that had been hammered halfway into the earth with large mallets. Basically the same thing. Really surreal how you hear about something once and suddenly see it elsewhere having never before seen it. They showed the plub line you used too, albeit a more primitive, hand drawn one lol. Absolutely love this.

[@snowpapua]

祖父が大工だったので、よく現場に連れて行ってもらいました。当時はまだ手刻みでねぇ。大工さんたちの手で魔法のように固い木が刻まれ、組み立てるとぴったり合う。それが不思議で1日見ていたものでした。墨壺で引いた線が鋸の幅と重なって、仕上がると墨の線が消えてしまう。墨壺そのものも大工さんが手作りでしたっけ。懐かしいなぁ。

[@4175bomori]

現在73歳ですが墨壷で子供の頃を思い出しました笑、自宅お向いが建具職人の爺さんその隣が農機具の柄専門の爺さんでその2軒隣が親子の大工さんでした、棒屋の爺さんには木剣をもらい建具屋の爺さんには夏休みの工作宿題で折りたたみの椅子を手伝ってもらいました今思うと昭和30年代始め生活は苦しかった時代ですが贅沢な良い時代でした。

[@ikust007]

I love the fact of salvaging such a piece of wood because of the quality of your knowledge, therefore keeping the work of the previous carpenter.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Top jointer ☺👍

[@pawnpansafargrajang7667]

Your craftsmanship and artist sense amaze me. I lost of words to describe how impress I am. Woodwork in supreme level.

[@behooman7749]

@Dylan Iwakuni Every time I watch your videos it makes me wanna start woodworking again and learn the Japanese style.

[@markb276]

Beautiful work, thankyou for taking the time to share your skill 👍😊

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you for your kind comment 😊

[@mattwood6144]

Greetings from Canada! Absolutely beautiful work! True craftsmanship! I've always loved those scarf joints ... very clever way to join two pieces of timber. I also loved seeing you use your profile gauge instead of a scriber to fit the bottom to the stone. Thanks for sharing!

[@richardskull5279]

Excellent craftsmanship! Good to see the beam was saved and not completely wasted. Very impressive mating of the stone to the end of the wooden post.

[@chuckholton4666]

Magnificent! So practical and even more beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers 😊🙌

[@gedog77]

Thank you Dylan. Very helpful. Multi tool is now on my shopping list alongside the circular saw.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that 😊🙌

[@mvansome]

Love the way the dowel is driven in and actually tightens the entire joint together...really cool

[@indalcecio]

It's called drawboring

[@scottandersen420]

Very slick technique, calming to watch.

[@andydelarue9344]

Wow , nice work , this is what we are going to have to do as wood becomes more expensive than labour. Good job 👍 cheers you have earned one.

[@benfurbank]

Love the modern tools used to fill effect.

[@jimandskittum]

Thanks for posting!

[@richcollins3490]

It's an absolute joy to watch your videos, Japanese carpentry is so remarkable as is your skills.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that 😊🙌

[@mehusla]

Not just a master carpenter, but a great engineer!

[@troystaten5633]

Nicely done. Thanks for showing us.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers! 😊🙌

[@guyprolly]

You and Mr. Chickadee are really tuned into something godlike. Thank you.

[@thecasualcitizen492]

Amazing skill. Thank you for this video.

[@ronniestanley75]

I started to say something smart about just replacing the whole post since it fell out anyway. Then, I watched the video and at the end thought, I can't even imagine how much a post that length would cost today.

[@gimmemorenow]

Now that is a work of art, beautiful.

[@rickkearn7100]

Phenomenal craft work! Cheers.

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, thank you for this. A joy to watch a craftsman at work 👍.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that 😊

[@rynor7132]

Wow. That is really something. Ive never considered fixing and old post.

[@TigerCarpenter]

Dylan Iwakuni is a true master of the craft. I am learning from each and every of his videos. and I need to buy that shape capturing jig NOW

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you for your kind words and cup of coffee 😊

[@Taleton]

A Master at work !!!! Thank you

[@arkansasboy45]

Wow, this is some beautiful saw and chisel work. I really like the set of chisels that you are using in this video.

[@Zie_carpentry]

☺☺👍

[@MattFriend]

I love how it looks like the post sprouts out of the rock!

[@williamdoyle649]

This was a fascinating look at a master carpenter solving an age old problem with a beautiful solution.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Excuseme 🙏🙏🤝🤝

[@ratdesignshop]

Wow that’s amazing. I really want to try something like this inside my house.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Looking forward to it! 👍

[@micheleploeser7720]

Very enlightening, thank you

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Great work! Thank you very much.

[@paulshaw5119]

It`s almost like the post is growing out of the rock! AWESOME!

[@anthonyskellern5970]

Just wonderful!

[@carlbettis5882]

What an amazing watch that was, such skill, pride and perfection.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@merlinalphonse9336]

maitre en son art, ce professionnel a reçue la meilleure des formations, et avait les qualités pour les assimiler et les appliquer ! bravo!

[@ZGGordan]

09:50 dude, you are a genius, I'm totally stealing this technique 🤣 Epic job, thanks for sharing!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that! 👍

[@SweeSTDream]

@@dylaniwakuni Great work! whats that tool called?

[@Sokol10]

​@@SweeSTDream "Contour Gauge".

[@richklee5464]

Excellent job well done I love the traditional approach on that stone splendid. Thank you for sharing. ⛩️🎏🙏🏽

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers!😊🙌

[@rodneymounsey4168]

Craftsmanship, Art, Practical skills, used for everyday needs. You have my admiration! Thank you for sharing this!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@jameskarwacki5802]

A job well done Dylan

[@johnsm007]

amazing craftmanship

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

Awesome work, thank you.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers 😊🙌

[@jimw544]

Wonderful work. A true craftsman.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Hello

[@bizzybee3021]

Amazing work

[@raggedworld]

This is really cool and looks quite lovely! Well done!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you 😊

[@SteveggStevegg]

Fantastic.

[@tree_carcass_mangler]

Great job! Thanks for sharing - thumbs up.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers 😊🙌

[@HandToolBuilds]

That is incredible! Great job

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks! 😊

[@christopherramsey4467]

Beautiful

[@pinview8519]

Minimal waste, the post is as good as new and may last another hundred years. What fine craftsmanship!

[@MarcelTeugels]

Amazing!

[@PhuongHuynh-rh2md]

The fastest 13:03 of my life. That was so enjoyable and satisfying. Great job!

[@dylaniwakuni]

I’m happy to hear that! Thank you 😊

[@seinundzeiten]

fantastic craftsmanship...

[@Myrkskog]

Beautiful work.

[@Zie_carpentry]

Yrss sirv☺☺👍

[@lelongclaude8181]

Super job

[@user-nt3qx4vr4b]

amazing!

[@scottmatich1374]

Great job sir!

[@cameronboucher7805]

Beautiful work Dylan 👍👍😎

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@charlesphillips8635]

Fabulous just fabulous.

[@doybu24th]

awesome work,,,

[@hohungdat8052]

Wow very good

[@TK-dh4pw]

Sugoi! Excellent craftsmanship

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@derekwiffen1115]

Nice job.😊👍

[@larrypollman5243]

Very impressive.

[@PapaFlammy69]

Excellent!!!!!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks man! 😊🙌

[@arth.4196]

WOW, I truly see the artistic Craftsman

[@johnnyesleo]

Beautiful work Iwakuni san!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@PaddyMacNabh]

Totally amazing 👍

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@ZygmuntKiliszewski]

Excellent. Bravo 👌.

[@gavinfeargrieve4874]

Wow! That is soo cool

[@andyd.1793]

Beautiful work. Next time I visit Japan, I will look for a nice set of chisels like the ones you use. Especially the wide one in the beginning of the video. I enjoyed watching you work.

[@dylaniwakuni]

That’s great to hear 😊

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

You can buy those chisels here now, they are awesome. There's a link in the description.

[@user-lk1df5lh2k]

Always like Japanese precision👍👍👍

[@leho5416]

I wanted to see how he routed the down spout. Great skill in working fast with his tools.

[@itsjustmetomc4848]

Amazing work!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@edwardnyhof7549]

Amazing craftsman! A pleasure to watch! ☺ (If it was me, I would cut the post shorter and put in a bigger stone... ☺)

[@Ts-T]

What I get from this, when it comes to accuracy, you need handtools. And a lot of experience to use them. Enjoying your vids. Thanks

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that 😊

[@indalcecio]

Not exactly true, you can get accuracy with hand or power tools, just a different discipline. Power tools generally get their accuracy from establishing reference surfaces and precise setup, hand tools more so from careful marking and slowly working your way to your marks. They both have advantages, power tools, once set up give repeatability and are more productive when doing many of the same works, but hand tools are actually often faster if you're just doing one piece. You'll often hear woodworkers remark that by the time a router or table saw jig is set up, you can already be done with hand tools.

[@mysteidolon8850]

Magnifique!

[@Ukuleleekersh]

Marvellous skills; many thanks for the lesson. 😁 Please add a video showing how the taper is made on the compression key that is hammered into place when you have a chance.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Both the key and joint are simply cut at the same taper.

[@Ukuleleekersh]

@@dylaniwakuni Ah...I understand.

[@zzz13zzz17]

Too good for this job

[@afistfulofvideos]

SO GOOD!!!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊

[@Mindlabytinth]

Fitting the bottom of the post to the stone left me in awe

[@Jose-zs7pc]

Buen trabajo 👍

[@Dima_91]

Awesome!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks!

[@andrewkinsey8754]

Japanese effort seems to be at a somewhat higher standard than everybody else

[@buzzmay207]

I AM VERY IMPRESSED ❤

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thanks 😊