6 Things You Demand to Know About Kumiko Woodworking

6 Things Yous Demand to Know About Kumiko Woodworking

by Jessica Esa | CRAFT

If yous've e'er stayed in a ryokan, visited a traditional Japanese domicile, or even just watched an anime series or two, chances are y'all've come across kumiko. Synonymous with traditional Japanese architecture, kumiko are an integral part of Japanese home design. Just, what is kumiko? where can you lot buy kumiko furnishings? and how can you lot learn this art for yourself? Find out all you need to know about kumiko here!

1. What is Kumiko?

Showtime as an artform in the 8th century CE and remaining an active form of carpentry in Japan to this day, kumiko is a uniquely Japanese manner of woodwork. The process involves interconnecting carved wooden pieces together, in intricate patterns, to create a finished panel without the use of mucilage, nails, or any other external tools.

Kumiko panels slot together and remain in identify through force per unit area alone, and that pressure level is achieved through meticulous computing, cutting, and arranging. The end result is a complex pattern that is used primarily in the creation of shoji doors and screens. If you want to acquire more nigh Shoji, find out All You Demand to Know Well-nigh Japanese Paper Screens.

The calibration and diversity of arrangement of geometric patterns used in kumiko is limitless. Whatsoever geometric pattern tin can be used, and in order for the kumiko to be sturdy and secure, absolute symmetry must be accomplished. Equally such, the cosmos of kumiko has been considered, for more than a thousand years, to be a respected and impressive course of carpentry and artistry in Japan.

The geometric patterns that are achieved are often designed after aspects of nature, such every bit shapes resembling cherry blossoms and hemp leaves. Each visual motif has a traditional significant behind it, and this would inform how or why it might be used, such as the hemp leafage pattern warding off evil spirits.

two. The Origins of Kumiko

The art of making kumiko panels began in the 8th century CE, during the Asuka period. This was a fascinating period in Japanese history which shortly followed the introduction of Buddhism to Nippon, as well as the nation debuting the proper name Nippon (loosely significant land of the rising sun).

The Asuka period was a time of intense political shifts in Japan, but information technology was too a fourth dimension when the arts began to flower. New forms of artistry, many of them influenced by Chinese art and architecture, began to have concur and shape the future of Japanese tradition. Among these was kumiko, which became a vital aspect to Japanese interior design from this menstruation onwards.

iii. How are Kumiko Made?

Kumiko woods is predominantly chosen and sourced from Japanese cedar and cypress copse. The wood from cypress trees is as well used in the structure of Buddhist temples. This wood is durable, long-lasting, and bright in colour.

As you can encounter in the video above from Shiraishi Mokki, the construction of kumiko involves no nails, screws, or glue, only the slotting together of wood pieces in geometric shapes, held firmly together by equally dispersed amounts of force per unit area. Everything is washed by hand, from the carving of each private slice (of which there are hundreds) to the assembling of the finished panel.

In gild for a kumiko panel to function, each slice must be authentic to within 0.1mm, and the symmetry between them is all only absolute. Kumiko panels come in a range of symmetrical geometric patterns, virtually of which are inspired by nature (usually leaves and flowers) and hold a specific meaning. The sakura (crimson blossom) pattern, for case, would be used to encourage and hope for a proficient harvest.

Kumiko artisans can train for decades and most primary kumiko craftsmen come from a long line of woodwork specialists. For example, Matsuo Tanaka, founder of the Tatematsu brand, hand crafts all of his products, has specialized in kumiko woodcrafts for over 50-2 years and tin can make over 250 patterns. He states in an interview that the hardest part of kumiko is creating a straight line.

four. Popular Kumiko Patterns

While there are hundreds of possible kumiko patterns, hither are some of the most popular designs that you lot will get-go to notice when looking at shoji screens and kumiko crafts.

  • Asanoha

Most commonly seen in Buddhist furnishings, this is one of the most popular kumiko designs in Japan and has been used since the Heian period (794 – 1185). It resembles a hemp foliage (麻の葉, asanoha) and is connected with growth and children'southward wellness, equally hemp leafage is stiff and grows apace.

  • Seikaiha

The proper noun for this pattern originated from a song and trip the light fantastic toe in The Tale of Genji and has remained 1 of the most popular and traditional kumiko designs. Representing the abundance of the sea, the curves of the wood remind the viewer of the lapping waves of the sea.

  • Goma

Resembling a sesame seed pod, which were get-go promoted every bit a health enhancer when they first arrived in Nihon in the sixth century, this distinctive pattern is associated with good health and was normally seen on the formal clothes of samurai.

  • Shokko

A traditional and noble pattern, the square and octagonal shapes correspond the River Shokko which existed in the ancient Chinese country of Han.

  • Sakura

A symbol and then commonly associated with Japan, the fleeting sakura blossoms take been immortalized in kumiko patterns for centuries. You can also find the sakura-kikkou blueprint which is slightly dissimilar but however demonstrates the beauty of red bloom.

five. Where to Buy Kumiko

Tanihata Kumiko

Tanihata Kumiko accept galleries in Shinjuku and Kobe too every bit the principal factory in Toyama so there are plenty of options for popping in, browsing and experiencing the kumiko physically if you're in Japan. Specialising in kumiko production for over half a century they have eighteen design motifs to cull from with customisable strength. They are as well equipped for creating kumiko in majority to the excess of 100 pieces and use a combination of handcrafted designs and modern digital production equipment. They also carry varying species of wood to suit different budgets including the high quality Kiso Cypress, Jindai Cedar and Akita Cedar wood.

Yoshihara Woodwork

Located in the Murodani hamlet in Shimane, the craftsmen at Yoshihara Woodwork accept been creating wooden kumiko pieces such as furniture and fittings by hand for over sixty years. Whether you're looking for a uncomplicated border kumiko to add a bear on of art to your home, a shoji screen, or full doors, the range of option here with over ii hundred designs on offer is phenomenal. Yoshiwara is selective with the wood they use for their kumiko products, choosing the right woods for the production such as Japanese cypress and cedar where the ageing procedure allows your piece to evolve and deepen in colour over the years or international spruce forest that retains its original light colour.

Sashikan Tategu Kogei

To combat the declining need for kumiko products, a new technique called Kakumaru kumiko was developed at Sashikan Tategu Kogei which essentially meant producing designer goods which would revolutionize traditional concepts. Here they piece of work with modern designers to create heady shapes, designs, and artworks using kumiko which slot into modernistic spaces and contemporary and sustainable ideals. The craft at Sashikan accept been passed down through iii generations using techniques that can only exist learned hither. Some of their contemporary products include kumiko photo frames, coasters, lamps, and jotter boxes and their larger pieces often draw entire natural scenes such as Mount Fuji and coloured artworks such equally Nagoya Castle. They also offering traditional styles and patterns for those that would prefer.

Toyoda Woodworks

The woodworking boondocks of Kanuma, in Tochigi prefecture, has a long history of kumiko and hemp production. Kumiko in the area are predominantly made using cypress woods and named Kanuma Kumiko after the craftsmen who accept competed over generations to develop effectively and more circuitous patterns used in their shoji latticework. Artisans gathered in the surface area over 380 years ago every bit renovations of the Nikko Toshogu temple circuitous took identify drawing the nation's all-time temple-edifice artisans, including craftsmen in carpentry, sculpture and lacquerware. The skills took root in the area and led to generations of woodwork expertise. Toyoda Woodworks sells a broad pick of kumiko products including coasters, trays, and decorations as well as big custom dwelling fittings and screens.

6. How to Make Kumiko Yourself

Many chief kumiko artisans are cocky-taught and while it can have years to create complex patterns, information technology's easy to get started with bones Japanese woodcrafts. Here are some ways you can get started on your kumiko journey.

The Art of Kumiko: Learn to Make Beautiful Panels by Hand, available at Amazon

The Art of Kumiko: Acquire to Make Beautiful Panels past Hand provides the perfect introduction to creating your own kumiko fine art and also how to apply information technology to furniture as well as framed panels. Included are cutting diagrams for several original decorative wall panels with detailed instructions on how to create them combining modern woodwork equipment and the precision of hand tools.

JO SELECTS offers helpful suggestions, and 18-carat recommendations for high-quality, authentic Japanese art & pattern. We know how difficult information technology is to search for Japanese artists, artisans and designers on the vast internet, so we came upwardly with this lifestyle guide to highlight the well-nigh inspiring Japanese artworks, designs and products for your everyday needs.

All product suggestions are independently selected and individually reviewed. Nosotros try our best to update information, but all prices and availability are subject to change. As an Amazon Acquaintance, Japan Objects earns from qualifying purchases.

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