Cutting a Modified Tapered Japanese Dovetail (蟻仕口 or Ari Shiguchi) - for Foundation Assembly

In this video, I show how to cut a modified and tapered Ari Shiguchi (蟻仕口). This joint is not found in any textbooks or passed on from previous carpenters. It is a joint that was designed by a lead carpenter at Fujimoto Koumuten.
This modified Ari Shiguchi differs from the traditional one by its shape and design. Often in house reforms and renovations you will find the Ari Shiguchi (蟻仕口) or Kama Tsugi (鎌継ぎ) to have catastrophically failed in time. Although a dovetail is noted to be a strong joint, it often fails in time from repeated earthquakes and other geological events.
In the case of this new house build the Fujimoto Koumuten decided to make a modification to the traditional Ari by increasing its overall size and introducing a taper to the shape so that it can be easily assembled without breaking. This joint takes longer to cut, but with the thicker design it would appear that it will stand up to the test of time.
The joint in this video was cut in Hinoki (Japanese Cypress).

[@chriskirkemo2522]

I’m happy to see you posting something. I always look forward to your content. It’s very relaxing and I’m always learning something new! Take care.

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching!

[@rolandgdean]

AAARRRGGGHHH! It took KZbin TWO WEEKS to show me this video. It keeps doing this to me! Shoving stuff in front of me that THEY THINK I want to watch BEFORE my channel's I'm subscribed to...so frustrating. Anyway, great video, of course and great work as well. I wish I could have a house built HERE in the US as well as they're built there but alas, I don't even have 1000 subscribers yet...lol. Like KZbin actually pays well for anything...funny. I like that wedge shaped dovetail...unless I'm seeing it wrong, it looks wider at one side than the other. I would have loved to see it slide into its receptacle piece.

[@RogierYou]

I was wondering about when I saw your last video. And here you are 👍

[@monut211]

Nice to see a new video, that handle wrap on the ryoba looks awesome, keep it up

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching!

[@lalitaescuela]

Thanks for posting 👍👌 And please keep posting more!!!

[@Timothylaing]

Good to see you back from the beach!!

[@gazpal]

Absolutely enjoying your videos/guides and adventures in Japanese carpentry. I've been involved in the construction game for over fifty years now and the learning process never ends, but four simple tips have never let me down a) always double check measurements, b) work to lines and levels, c) Always keep your tools sharp, d) Never let edged tools go dull.

[@thecarpentrylife]

I can't agree more, Gary. Thanks for watching our video.

[@radnerorg]

Hey! First of all: Thank you so much for these Videos. They are realy a pleasure to watch! Watching your Videos I noticed, that the timber you´re using very often has the woodcore in the middle. In Europe the wood core is usually cut out or the tree trunk is cut in half right next to the wood core. Do you know how they guaranty the wood quality with the wood core in the middle? I guess it has to do with long storage-time in the sawmill? Thank you and greetings from Austria!

[@deborahf3738]

Yay, a new video......

[@Dogteklimited]

Thanks for the videos! Keep up the good work!

[@morgorth3242]

loved the video keep it up

[@edgarhidalgo6733]

Estaría bueno un video sobre los gennou y como se coloca el mango. Saludos

[@rjg6139]

Your videos are always enjoyable. I assume those beams are the equivalent of floor joists but dovetailed to counter pulling forces, and the 90x90x15 cut-outs accept the 'joist blocking'? Except they line up on 909mm square foundations, right? I noticed the hammer head (Hiroki?) is attached the traditional way-it would be nice to see how you go about it. All the best.

[@267BISMARK]

I noticed the circular saws didnt have guards on them. Is there a reason for this.( this is not a criticism by the way).

[@pipepuffah6548]

Sorry but that was a little painful to watch, I take it you are on minimum wage to learn the trade? Great place to learn carpentry skillz

[@LabGecko]

Big difference between US style slap-it-together nailgun 2x4's and this precision joinery. It's always better to take smaller pieces / shavings away than to make a mistake and go too far, ruining an entire tree.