Japanese Joinery Taking The World By Storm

Japanese joinery is the traditional Japanese practice of woodworking, and although similar to western carpentry, it is far older and more distinguished.

Years before the invention of metal screws, Japanese carpenters made their own amazing and practical wooden joints.

This ancient method of joinery was developed alongside Japanese architecture, and it is as beautifully ornate as their buildings.

The word joinery refers to the ‘joins’ that hold wooden structures together.

Traditional joinery doesn’t need nails, glue or screws to hold the pieces together, instead it uses interlocking wooden joints.

Some of the advantages that traditional Japanese joinery has is the fact that it is incredibly tough while also being flexible and sympathetic to the material.

Wood can go through many different phases of warping and movement, as well as holding and expelling moisture.

This meant that Japanese carpenters had to use joints that would allow for some movement, while also being strong and reliable.

There are several different disciplines within Japanese joinery, and this is because of the simple fact that the methods of joinery used to construct a house is very different from the methods used to make furniture and other interior woodwork.

We have all seen the beautiful Japanese temples and shrines, well these were are a perfect example of Japanese joinery, as well as being testament to the strength and durability of these joints.

Thanks to the accessibility and shareability that has been brought about by the internet, joinery is now receiving worldwide praise from people who are interested in this art form.

Videos showcasing this traditional form of woodwork are being shared across all social media platforms and becoming viral, proving the popularity of this skill.

As more and more people gain an interest in DIY and crafts, we could see more forms of traditional craftsmanship being introduced into the public domain.