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Japanese Wood Joints Where tradition meets craftsmanship
Living craft · Digital experience

A sanctuary for the art of Japanese wood joinery.

Explore tsugite, shiguchi, and kumiko joints through immersive storytelling, cultural context, and hands-on guidance. Every piece honors centuries of shokunin wisdom.

Explore joints Plan your learning path
30+ techniques
Historic and modern variations curated for builders.
Interactive visuals
3D viewers, exploded diagrams, and step sequencing.
Cultural narratives
Interviews, archives, and shrine stories preserved.
Featured joint

Kanawa Tsugi

Metal ring scarf joint revered for temple restoration.

  • Purpose-built to withstand seismic stress.
  • Interlocking bevel prevents torsion failure.
  • Assembly mastered by miyadaiku carpenters.
Curated joints

Begin with foundational techniques trusted by master carpenters.

Each profile pairs dimensional drawings with assembly insights, care tips, and regional history so you can build with confidence.

Shiguchi · Mortise and Tenon

Hozo Tsugi

The classic mortise and tenon joint, essential for frame construction and corner assemblies.

Shiguchi · Frame Joint

Kama Tsugi

A sickle-shaped lap joint engineered for silent strength in traditional beams.

Kumi Tsugi · Corner Joint

Ari Otoshi

Japanese dovetail joint delivering precise compression without nails or glue.

Tsugite · Lengthening Joint

Koshikake Ari Tsugi

A lap dovetail joint balancing speed of assembly with dependable shear resistance.

Taxonomy

Navigate joinery families shaped by centuries of temple craft.

Filter by structural purpose, difficulty level, or tool requirements to map your progression.

Cultural lineage

Honoring miyadaiku guardians and the shrines they steward.

Our editorial archive surfaces oral histories, temple blueprints, and hand-drawn scrolls that span regions from Kyoto to Nikkō. Discover how craftsmanship intertwines with Shinto rituals and seasonal ceremonies.

Visit the Yokoyama workshop story

Archive Spotlight

Ise Grand Shrine · Edo period reconstruction

Follow the 20-year rebuilding cycle that keeps the sacred architecture living. Gain insight into joint selection, lumber rituals, and the apprenticeship path of shrine carpenters.

Read the archive feature →

Voices of the Shokunin

Audio interviews · Monthly

Hear from contemporary artisans adapting classic joints for sustainable timber and modern seismic codes.

Listen to the latest episode →
Learning path

Your guided progression from foundational cuts to master-level assemblies.

Whether you are refining hand tool technique or planning a cultural preservation project, we provide structure, practice schedules, and tool lists to pace your growth.

  1. Beginner · Careful foundations

    Start with itahagi edge joints and simple mortise-tenon pairs to train accuracy.

  2. Intermediate · Structural harmony

    Blend shiguchi frame joints with Kumiko panels to understand grain behavior and seasonal movement.

  3. Advanced · Temple craftsmanship

    Master tsugite scarf joints and hidden locking mechanisms engineered for longevity.

  4. Mastery · Cultural stewardship

    Lead collaborative builds, document heritage sites, and mentor the next generation of artisans.

Join the workshop

Receive launch updates and beta access to interactive 3D viewers.

Be among the first to navigate annotated models, exploded assembly timelines, and live tool demonstrations inspired by temple apprenticeships.