Carving Joints and Dry-Fitting for a New Traditional Japanese House

In this video, we are in the final stretches of completing the Kizami (刻み) (or carving) and Jigumi (地組) (or dry-fitting) for a new house build in Hayama, Japan. This new house will be 2-stories tall. I proceed with carving the remaining few joints in a Toshi Bashira (通し柱) or through pillar and the center portion of the Munagi (棟木) or ridge beam. After we finished carving the remaining few joints, we proceed with dry-fitting the beams together to confirm that they fit perfectly.
Soon we will be building up this house at the work site.
We hope you enjoy the video. Stay tuned for more.

[@anonplayer8529]

That sound when the wedge is pulling Kanawa Tsugi tight is somehow so satisfying. 👍

[@thecarpentrylife]

It really is!

[@Felipera_]

I love how japanese carpentry goes from "here I have a Kanna with a blade forged by hand by a blacksmith in the mountains which I hand sharpened to an edge that can take a shaving less than 20 microns thick" to "here is an electric plane that can shave an entire 30cm wide beam in 3 seconds" on the blink of an eye

[@TokyoLlama]

This is really interesting, thanks. You’ve got great skills too! Looking forward to checking out more.

[@thecarpentrylife]

More to come! Thank you for watching.

[@Calihan]

The legend himself

[@cj.tj.8201]

You're channel is so interesting. I have always been fascinated by Japanese carpentry. I appreciate the opportunity to see an learn the process.

[@thecarpentrylife]

We are happy to share this with you.

[@aconybell8658]

Thanks for the great carpentry videos!

[@thecarpentrylife]

Glad you like them!

[@17penobscot]

Throughly enjoy your videos, I look forward to each and every one. I particularly like when you show the actual layout process Ana jointers work.👍

[@thecarpentrylife]

Glad you like them!

[@hh706]

I am excited to have found this channel. This will be a millon sub channel in a few years.

[@joschmoyo4532]

In some way's jointing big timbers is a bit arduous but when you finally put it up it's intensely satisfying. I'm finishing up making windows at the moment. Glazing is done, just got to bead the glass in. Sometimes when you start a big job it seems like you will never see the end of it and then one day it's done. The strange part is that you actually grieve slightly that the job is over even though when your doing it there are times when you weary of it. Preparation is so vital to projects like this to avoid mistakes. Story poles and yardsticks are well worth the time it takes to make them. Excellent video, loved watching the lads at work. 🍻

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you so much for your nice comment.

[@joschmoyo4532]

@@thecarpentrylife My pleasure.

[@joeschmoe6392]

Amazing. Outstanding. Wow! And am truly loving the return of the 'theme' music at the intro and outro. Love you guys, arigato gozaimasu! 🙇‍♂ Very much appreciate both of your efforts (to me you've both get 'sama' honorifics), as well as the rest of the carpentry / craftsmen team - both seen and peripheral in the company (with various 'dono' and 'sama' honorifics out of deep honor and great appreciation) "Stay tuned for more" indeed!!! 😄

[@thecarpentrylife]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@samc1056]

I really wish my house was built this way 😢

[@timsampson5229]

I love the precision work combining traditional hand tools with giant power tools! And yet you seem to be using a ballpoint pen for marking up?!

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching. The massive electric plane is useful when you have to smooth a lot of beams throughout the day. We have to remove the markings that were made so that the customer doesn't see them. I use a fine tipped pen (0.4) black ink. I alternate between two different types. amzn.to/41zIhTa (Juice Up 0.4 by Pilot) amzn.to/3mGkUbK (Sarasa 0.4 by Zebra)

[@honkdrummer]

Love the videos, keep them coming. Make some more with hammering and sawing, they are great ASMR

[@thecarpentrylife]

Will do!

[@abelgerli]

Actually the kanawa tsugi let me admire Japqnese carpentry. Best and I think the biggest one around there would be be in the Miyajima Tori in the sea just in front of Itsukushima Shrine. I think they have done a repair job there.

[@TheFedster18]

Silly question: are you using a simple ballpoint pen for marking?

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching. I am using a fine tipped (0.4) black pen. I tend to use two different types of pens. See these links below: amzn.to/41zIhTa (Juice Up 0.4 by Pilot) amzn.to/3mGkUbK (Sarasa 0.4 by Zebra)

[@user-cd6qz4rd1t]

👍👍👍👍

[@rolandgdean]

Great work! The notches in that main beam made for the rafters looked like a perfect job for a trim router with an end mill and small jig and then just squaring the corners with a chisel. I see SOME power tools used (like that surfacing planer and some forester bit marks used to clear material before cleanup) but in most instances they aren't. I love a good balance of both and I wonder how much power tool is too much? I know it's relative to the job but I'm just intensely curious about the processes there where you're working.

[@thecarpentrylife]

Sometimes we alternate between using certain power tools and hand tools to do these very cuts, but I think it depends on the carpenter and the carpentry shop. We kind of balance between power tools and hand tools. I think it is good to know that most joints can be done by hand, however, I do not think there is a faster method than using a circular saw and mortising drill press. I typically only use a circular saw, mortising drill press, and hand tools to do all wood carving. Thank you for watching.

[@rolandgdean]

@@thecarpentrylife Thank YOU for answering my questions and making this content.

[@LabGecko]

@@thecarpentrylife Paul Sellers (has a channel here on YT) made an excellent point in one of his videos - with the setup, safety, and prep required for power tools, often it is both safer and faster to use hand tools. I have some nice power tools (Festool router) and need to sell them since they're rarely used. My Japanese chisels get used on every single job.

[@drmvh]

Whats the name of that fabulous joint that joins sections of ridge beam together please? Thank you. Edit: it appears to be kanawa tsugi, is that right?

[@triphopchill]

More than really impressive work....but my question is...what kind of wood are you working from? thank you very much!

[@lhfloors]

Great work but to time consuming on most sites

[@artistroominc.6907]

I would love to move to Japan and do this job. How bad is the pay?

[@mikebolin4311]

Hi. What kind of wood is being worked on this video? Looks like cedar. Thx

[@thecarpentrylife]

It is Japanese Cedar. Thanks for watching.

[@diegopavlicic3158]

looking for the tatemae day! whats the name of the song you use at the end of your videos?? thank you

[@LitoGeorge]

At about 1:10 you have those relief cuts by a Saw of some kind before you chisel them out. What did you use to make those cuts?

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching. I used a circular saw guide and circular saw to make the cuts. Here is the guide I used: amzn.to/3mB2fyf (30 cm by Shinwa Sokutei) amzn.to/3KJNh0U (15 cm by Shinwa Sokutei)

[@LitoGeorge]

@@thecarpentrylife excellent, thanks. I have a further question for you: I have been trying to buy a bunch of saws, files, rasps, and even carpenters sandals from Kurashige since February. I am polite at all times, and yet have experienced nothing but dismal service in trying to get some basic answers before paying. Even translated my request into Japanese in order to solicit an understanding, but no dice. Its mid April now, and despite my repeated requests for service, "Yamasuke" is always busy he says. Are you able to provide me with the name or email address of someone who could help please? I am in Canada btw. Kurashige have lovely tools and yes, I watched your video on them a few times. Strange request I know, but I am running out of ideas to place an order. Thanks.

[@Camdotcam]

Does anyone know the name/brand of the thin sashigane square they are using here? It looks lovely to use, but I havent seen any like it in Australia and would like to order one similar.

[@Camdotcam]

I've found something similar! I needed to search including the words 'traditional profile sashigane'

[@Bigalinjapan]

Why is that chiseled, instead of using templates and a milling machine?