Japanese Joinery help

December 7, 2006 7:12 AM

I am planning to build some rustic furniture using Japanese Joinery. I will be using found old timber (a couple of hundred years old) that I have collected over the years as well as beautiful distressed but intact branches (limbs of trees) that I have spent time sanding down to create a beautiful texture. Anyone know of literature, classes on japanese joinery. I have some experience working rustic furniture but this I plan to make more refined.
posted by aisleofview to home & garden (7 comments total)

Well it depends on what style you are planning on using and what tools you have. Japanese saws are very specific implements and you generally will not find an analog for them in the western toolkit. That being said, I have nothing constructive to offer, but if you do find materials, make sure you practice on scrap wood first.
posted by BobbyDigital at 7:22 AM on December 7, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]

I don't know anything about this myself, but my brother is a carpenter/cabinet maker, and he put this book on his wish list for the holidays.

Also, more literature on the subject at Amazon.
posted by AwkwardPause at 8:10 AM on December 7, 2006

This is probably a long-shot, but since you have a local email... there's a business on W 17th in NYC called Miya Shoji where they do traditional joinery. The workers in there might be able to give you leads to classes.
posted by xo at 9:06 AM on December 7, 2006

contact Hida Tool in California. Berkeley has a number of folks like woodworker Kip Mesirow and others who specialize in Japanese and European joinery techniques, including those that require no hardware.
posted by luriete at 9:16 AM on December 7, 2006

I would also recommend 'Measure and Construction of the Japanese House.'

I own it, it's a fabulous book just for how amazingly intricate the joinery can be. The drawings are a bit on the small side. However it seems to cover nearly every possible joining combination.
posted by contessa at 9:45 AM on December 7, 2006

While less descriptive of traditional Japanese joinery, George Nakashima's book is inspirational.
posted by plinth at 10:53 AM on December 7, 2006

There's a Carolina craftsman, George R. Allen, who considers himself as disciple of Nakashima and Gerrit Rietveld — a pretty nice pedigree. Allen makes wonderful, quirky pieces of mixed wood with intricate joins, for example this table of ash, walnut and mahogany. He's a very nice man, and might be willing to share some thoughts on his process and inspiration. Phone and email info in the first link.
posted by rob511 at 5:30 PM on December 7, 2006