The Art of Traditional Japanese Wood Joinery 日本伝統の技術『仕口・継手』

At the end of the 12th century, fine woodworking skills and knowledge were brought into Japan from China. Over time, these joinery skills were refined and passed down, resulting in the fine wood joineries Japan is known for.
Here are some examples of traditional wood joineries which are still used today.
The book I referred to when marking out the joinery:
The Complete Japanese Joinery
www.amazon.com...
One of my favourite joinery book:
木組み・継手と組手の技法
www.amazon.co....
For more photos, check out my Instagram:
/ dylaniwakuni
Recommended books on Japanese woodworking, sharpening stones and measuring tools:
www.amazon.com...
(affiliate link)
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Free Sketch Up 3D joinery models:
www.dropbox.co...
A cup of coffee is always greatly appreciated :)
www.buymeacoff...
#japanesewoodworking #traditionaljoineries #asmr #handtools #woodworking #woodjoinery #finewoodworking

[@dylaniwakuni]

For those interested in learning more or wanting to make joineries, I've listed some of my recommended books and resources in the description box. Cheers and happy weekends!

[@ashishwadekar6395]

Thank you so much for posting. Can you please share what is the type of wood that you use generally? I can see 2 different kinds of wood species being used in most of the joints. Namaste.

[@dylaniwakuni]

For these, I used what I had available. Mostly Birch and Walnut

[@user-pl4ow1fy5b]

@@ashishwadekar6395 1ㅣ

[@ashishwadekar6395]

@@dylaniwakuni Thank you so much!

[@yairalvarado841]

Los ensambles te quedaron excelentes

[@ryouten8408]

日本は湿気が多く金属の釘を使うと錆びたり、また地震が多いため木材を一体化し強化できる「継手」の技術が生まれました。また、木が腐ったところだけを切り取ってそこを新しい木材で修復できるとてもエコな技法でもあります。しかしとても難しい技術のため、今は廃れ始めているのが現状です。 In Japan, the humidity is high and metal nails can rust, and there are many earthquakes, so the technology of "継手" that can integrate and strengthen wood has been born. It is also a very ecological technique that allows you to cut out only the rotten wood and repair it with new wood. However, because it is a very difficult technology, it is now becoming obsolete.

[@katrincarstens5125]

In meiner Nähe wurde an einem Ort eine Ausgrabung gemacht, von dem man weiß, daß er vor etwa 1000 Jahren bereits bebaut war und seit dem 13. Jahrhundert bis zum Zweiten Weltkrieg stets Gasthöfe oder Hotels standen. Das Gebiet war einst Sumpfland und man rammte Eichenpfähle in den Boden. Einen auf den anderen, bis fester Grund erreicht war. Ohne Sauerstoff halten diese Pfähle sehr lange. Erst wenn man Sümpfe trocken legt, beginnt der Verfall. Jedenfalls fand man Gebäudeteile und Erdschichten. Es wurden zwei große Stadtbrände dokumentiert. 1396 und 1536. Es wurden Balken und Bauteile der traditionellen Ständerbauweise ("Fachwerk", wie man es oft in Dokumentationen über Deutschland sieht, Holz und dazwischen Backstein) gefunden. Damals hat man in diesem feuchten Gebiet auf dem weichen Untergrund, der zudem auch noch oftmals Fluten zum Opfer fiel, auch auf Verbindungen ohne Metall gesetzt. Man sägte Überblattungen und simplere Vertiefungen und Gegenstücke in die Balken und fixierte die Teile dann durch Bohrungen mit dicken Holzdübeln. Sehr viel primitiver als in ihrer Kultur, aber auf der Basis der selben Idee. Mit weniger Erdbeben, aber mit weichem Boden und viel Wasser und Stürmen nahe der Nordsee, einem Teil des Nord-Atlantiks. Ich bin sehr bewegt, wie die Menschen früher mit viel bescheideneren Mitteln und viel Muskelkraft und Ausdauer ihren Problemen begegnet sind und Dinge schufen, die selbst nach 800 Jahren noch fest zusammen halten. Ich bin von ihrer Holzkultur zutiefst beeindruckt! Herzliche Grüße aus Deutschland. 🥰🙏🏻🌳🌳🌳🪚🔨🤎💚 Ich bin sehr glücklich, dieses Video und Ihren Kommentar gefunden zu haben.

[@Rook8501]

I didn’t know I needed this content in my life but I’m sure glad I found it!

[@JW--dc8ri]

You and me both

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

The perfection in those cuts must be laser spot on for them to line up the way they do. Just amazing.

[@CSparzo]

Meanwhile, I'm proud when i can just get two 45 miter joints to go together.

[@SpoodinOot]

Two? Man, you must be good

[@NickRanger]

I feel your pain man. Small victories.

[@janee7995]

Miter? Still have to do it by hand

[@harold2003]

Bwahahaha me too

[@petridish24]

🤣

[@Ouranorable]

Thank you for keeping this craft alive and for your recommendations on how to educate ourselves! Definitely will keep watching this channel!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that! Thank you! 😊

[@leandrobernardo8335]

the author does like to from scratch, shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. kzbin.infoUgkxD-QRFQz730FJEh4f9BYSf-nkIMIC9hL_ as another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us dont have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we wont be able to practice the full stack project, is still great.

[@AbhyudayJaiswal]

My house is quite old and I admired the technique used in joining blocks of woods here. Learned today that they are called Kanawa Tsugi. Thanks KZbin for recommending this video.

[@hefeydd_]

I love working with wood, I've never seen joinery quite like this. No clue requires because the joins are so tight. The shape of the joins are so precise and even with expanding and contracting they won't move. This is why some of the oldest structures in Japan are still standing. I bet these were cut by hand with a Japanese saw I have one for fine cutting you get such a precise and accurate join.

[@RobFavoriteMusic]

I'd love to see Ron Swanson taking a class in Japanese Wood joinery.

[@NickRanger]

I "wood" watch that.

[@johnnyshinnichi1785]

What is it about the Japanese that whatever they do, from ancient crafts like this, to the latest technology, they do so well? These joints are a thing of beauty.

[@technewsfortechnoobs]

I swear...my dream is to move to Japan, find a nice place in the mountains by a beautiful lake or river, and build a house using all of these techniques so I can spend my life in peace and harmony.

[@dylaniwakuni]

That's a great dream! Houses/land in the country side are cheap too!

[@technewsfortechnoobs]

@@dylaniwakuni Thanks...now if I can only find a way to make it happen. I had some pretty interesting ideas for a house too. Ground floor laid out to surround and enclose a lovely garden with a pond while still being open air in the middle, and possibly still including a second floor above it while continuing to allow natural light in. It was an idea I came up with when I was 20. :)

[@K4113B4113]

@@technewsfortechnoobs That's cool and a great purpose. But remember, wherever you go, there you are. Peace is not a location but a state of being. Start bringing it in now and you can take it with you when you go to Japan.

[@GhostofTradition]

well you don't have to do it in Japan. it would be much simpler not to.

[@Flaggyt]

@@GhostofTradition that is kinda the idea, you have to make your dreams so difficult you never have to act upon them because of it. ;) Because our dreams are at their best when they stay just dreams.

[@happymonk4206]

Simple yet complex and beautiful

[@tralhas]

I'm a metrologist and to think all of this perfect fitting was created long before concepts like GD&T really blows my mind.

[@nmota12]

That's how we've been coexisting with earthquakes.

[@Crosshill]

I've tried to find a video to actually showcase the joints and stuff used for those ancient ass earthquake resistant buildings, nail-less building just sounds kinda rad and i wanna see more

[@nmota12]

@@Crosshill kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3iWaJqHiNulnJY Any metal material wasn't used to build this. The whole tower is a shock absorber that was designed to last more than 400 years.

[@milkntomatoes9418]

@@Crosshill This is super late but, try looking up the architecture of Kiyomizu-dera, specifically the 43ft-tall stage area. The whole damn thing was built without using a single nail, and it's still intact. I got to go there before on a study tour and it gave me chills just looking at it, whether standing on the stage itself or looking up from ground level.

[@allanchalmers9359]

Stunningly beautiful! Thank you for being kind enough to share your skill

[@blank_mxwel]

先人の職人さんが作られた継手は素晴らしいものですが、現代の職人さんが新しく作られた継手が存在するのか？も興味があります。

[@sooperzero4087]

Such beautiful craftsmanship! Japanese attention to detail always makes things better!

[@ricos1497]

All of these could have had a twenty minute video each, they are stunning. Great work.

[@joefebri3236]

Thats a machining level of precision, a really good materials and superb technique could do. Perfection

[@andoorinn6015]

継手のなかでも、【金輪継ぎ】を考えた先人の賢才さに、ただ脱帽。【隅留ほぞ差し】は狂奔の結果に考案したかのような継手、人間業なことが見事！

[@user-qi5qy2pb9c]

Да, истинное мастерство! Спасибо, Вам Мастера, и доброго здоровья!

[@robmckay5700]

The Japanese are just next-level Masters!

[@markn6941]

The Japanese culture are next level advance. I mean they invented the Katana and Ju-Jitsu a few hundred of years ago?!

[@opensky1710]

いや日本の職人もすごいんだけど、これをゼロから発明した人がいるっていうのも信じられない。 広い世界でなんで日本人はこんなに器用なんだろ。

[@davidmiller7771]

The skill here is beyond belief , i take my hat off to craftsman like this , mesmerising

[@TheShorebird]

Very nice, Japanese architecture is some of the worlds most beautiful and intricate. Those joints require some very precise measurements and cutting ability. Not to mention some very sharp and well taken care of tools.

[@paulensor9984]

Buildings things I tend to go for the simplest solution to get the job done well, but the level of satisfaction achieved from making these joins must be quite something, I'm tempted to try them out one day ❤️

[@Nat-jf2ge]

No nails or glue required, just accurate measurement.

[@lucasdelfino5358]

“Just”...

[@leehughes3685]

The Japanese really can make anything an art form.

[@takaorobinson8719]

Well said. I thought about paper. Cultures everywhere used it yet only one turned it into a crane with just folds.

[@R.Oates7902]

This skill is amazing! No nails, staples or glue is used.

[@darbywilliamson6957]

This guy is literally the definition of seamless

[@thomasw5430]

Amazing! The four sides one blew my Mind.

[@eM-ed5pz]

Perfect timing! Was just looking to attempt some of these for my kids bedroom set.

[@dylaniwakuni]

That's great! Cheers! 🙌

[@ginajadaciaferreirabarbosa1905]

I have always loved technical marquetry using a round corner table with various colors of wood embedded in beautiful designs with mother-of-pearls.

[@HariKristiyanto]

Amazing

[@evenfrank5223]

that's so impressive i aspire to be this good someday, but right now i struggle with making the boards flat. its great to see an expert at work.

[@kerberos4668]

天才です。

[@abelgerli]

The different tsugi brought me the first time to Japan wanted to see the joinery in the shrines , castles and tempels. Just love it ☺️☺️🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@D4NC3Rable]

I watched this for the first time like 2 hours ago & have been binge watching your videos ever since anyway an hour ago I *saw* you putting the impossible joint together but I didn't really understand what I was seeing, I just came back to this & rewatched & it's amazing how comprehension can go from 0 to 50% like that so fast. Now I really want to try this; seriously considering buying some tools. Your channel is magical.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear you’ve been enjoying my channel! 😊🙌

[@Vendemiair]

The dislikes are from people who are envious of a person who's more skilled than them

[@MollyHJohns]

My hands has been unstable since small lol I can't even do woodworking school project then, let alone take selfies today. I can't get jealous of precise mathematical engineering anymore than beautiful craftsmanship that is in the Japanese roots of creation. Edit: but I didn't dislike the video. I like it, in fact.

[@alnorris251]

Insane precision..so satisfying to watch!

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Some of the finest woodwork in the world... Thanks!

[@kevinoreilly2504]

The entire world should be made this way sustainably, the trees would be proud.

[@core36]

I was searching for a good way to attach my 3d printed plates together. I will use the first one, thanks

[@Uli_Krosse]

Nice little teaser to start the weekend. Arigato!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers! 🙌

[@sustainf]

Outstanding craftsmanship! Thank you!

[@enrico.zamuner]

the japanese carpenters are the best on the World !!!👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@negringo4470]

Amazing and very therapeutic to observe . Thank you .

[@geestuhl7909]

This is from China originally

[@eagle162]

It didn't look up just about any Chinese Woodworking and you can see the difference these kinds of techniques were developer all over the world,one of the oldest techniques watariago-shiguchi go back to the jomon period before contact with mainland Asia

[@Ham68229]

This is exactly the type of joinery I really want to get into. Still got to get my head wrapped around on the layouts first. Great video, cheers :)

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that! Cheers! ☺️🙌

[@vinceseidel6036]

Thanks for keeping the skill alive!

[@dylaniwakuni]

😊🙌

[@subramaniiyer3801]

Super information.

[@teddybear3130]

Amazing knowledge and art 👍

[@RobertOrgRobert]

The fastest ‘thumbs up’ I’ve ever given to a video !

[@ikust007]

Didn’t even watch t yet but I KNOW it will be exceptional! Cheers Master

[@edi9892]

I'd love to see more on how temples and castles were made. Both may have elements where at least to my untrained eye 6 beams meet (like a pillar with two orthogonal beams supporting a floor and another pillar on top, or that scaffold on which some temples stand at a steep cliff). Also, how can they make such precise joints with such huge beams? You can't just try out all the joints, or?

[@poem]

It's so weird that I feel emotional watching this video. Maybe we could fix our lives the same way.

[@anupamkar9963]

Fascinating work! Love it.

[@zidnyknight3611]

Thanks

[@victormanuelgil947]

Wao! Ellos hacen que trabajar la madera sea un arte único.!

[@guillaumeriottot3308]

Thank you so much for sharing the files, this will gave me the boost to have a try, I wouldn't go without a map ;-)

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that 😊

[@dogshouse1]

I have to admit, I am VERY jealous of Mr. Iwakuni. Because.......... all the joints he cuts/demonstrates, he makes look SO darn easy! I know I am just starting out with timber framing in general and, I understand I shouldn't be so hard on myself for the lack of skill as I improve daily. But boy oh boy does that bar he set look HIGH! As an experienced Tool and Die maker/Tool Designer, I have a lot of skill with tools/calculations/drawings and so forth and, I am grateful that much transfers over from cutting steel to cutting wood (as far as general concepts/design/ thought process goes). I have a lot of respect for those who are just starting out, from square one because, there is just so much to learn. But, it IS worth every moment! Thank you very much Mr. Iwakuni for taking the time to teach myself and others. In my book, you are the best of men for sharing all that knowledge with us.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Thank you for the kind comment 😊

[@robertg2774]

I commend Japanese craftsmenship ... the highest standard.

[@equinoxproject2284]

Your technique epitomizes what one of my first instructors taught me..."don't go past your layout lines, and you will be fine". When he test fitted joints, there would be a full pencil line outlining the joint, he would literally take half the pencil line away when cutting his joints.

[@smeargut1809]

Ari shiguchi is what I’m using for bearers and joists, such a good join.

[@smolboyi]

Amazing. The fit is unreal, like it was machined out of metal by a master

[@Rich32262]

For those who like CNC for woodworking, I don't get it. I can't see watching a machine do the work for me and being satisfied. This is perfection to strive for. My only problem with what I'm seeing here is I'm 60 and don't know if I have enough time to get this good:) This work makes mine look like tinker toys.

[@walkerhenly4244]

すばらしい！

[@nepnaeemselectronicspakist1824]

OMG, what a acuressy tipical work💰👍👌

[@emgee8483]

I wish I were that good.So, I must practice a lot more I guess. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@123doblo]

Kane tsugi .....my favourite

[@Christopher-pf8qt]

I am humbled. Absolutely incredible!

[@mitchellw7118]

You are very very skilled.

[@ahsenshah2875]

This is pure poetry.

[@fathurrifqi_]

Perfectionist will be happy if they see this

[@davidchiles5331]

Wonderful work, so impressed with this

[@fromfilmtocode]

Engineering miracles. One if the cultures that were ahead of their time.

[@alexandersobin6595]

Bravo !

[@danielderka7215]

0:20 this joint is a piece of art based on science

[@nickyork8901]

Thanks for your generous sharing of information, this is incredible.

[@manofweed1]

Everything they do, they do very well.

[@ashrafsaiful]

I must learn to become a master of this craft

[@YDFrank]

Excellent work, and Tang Dynasty says ‘You are Welcome’

[@eagle162]

For God's sake even the video description gets it wrong,this did not came from the Tang Dynasty just look up any Chinese wood working and you see the difference these kinds of techniques were developing all over the planet, one of the oldest techniques watariago-shiguchi goes back to the Jomon period Before contact with Mainland Asia.

[@dejavu666wampas9]

Great joinery. Talented woodworking. Whenever I make something with tight fits like this, when I drive it together, something always splits.

Mashallah. Klasik japon inceliği, hassasiyeti. Tebrikler.

[@JoelBomfim]

Que arte. Parabéns

[@rumalvar]

Wow such craftsmanship

[@philrichmond7567]

Beautiful joinery.

[@manofbeard]

The scarf joint looks a beautiful piece of work. Really strong joint too.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Yes, it's a very solid joint!

[@JesusFrias915-TX]

You should test the strenght of these joint by putting them through different pulling/pushing tests

[@Hutch5321]

Thank you for all the videos, Dylan. Have finished watching them all. Big thumbs up and subbed.

[@dylaniwakuni]

Happy to hear that! Thank you 😊

[@user-ov2kx8ql5i]

Time to make something using this joints.

[@Dani_Star777]

Satisfyng

[@tolentino1965]

I love this kind of work! Congrats.

[@timtravasos2742]

Incredible engenuity and effectiveness. Wow!

[@matbritton6816]

Just wonderful!

[@malinyamato2291]

I am so extremely fascinated about this .... wanna learn.

[@subramaniamk.mathvan623]

I have seen these kind of joins in beds, cupboards and tables about 20 years ago in Malaysia.

[@bobhall7257]

Wonderful! Time to sharpen my chisels and make ..... something! Thanks for sharing this!

[@dylaniwakuni]

Cheers! 😊🙌

[@Maurinusa]

Amazing craftsmanship!