Kumiko (woodworking)
Japanese woodworking technique
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Method
Thinly-slit wooden pieces are grooved, punched, and mortised, and then fitted individually using a plane, saw, chisel, and other tools to make fine-adjustments. The technique was developed in Japan in the Asuka Era (600-700 AD).[2][1] Kumiko panels slot together and remain in place through pressure alone, and that pressure is achieved through meticulously calculating, cutting, and arranging interweaving joints. The end-result is a complex pattern that is used primarily in the creation of shoji doors and screens.[3] Traditionally, the wood of choice was the hinoki cypress.[4]
Patterns
The designs for kumiko-pieces are not chosen randomly. Many of the nearly 200 patterns used today have been around since the Edo era (1603-1868). Each design has a meaning or mimicks a pattern in nature that is thought to be a good omen. The patterns are designed to look good, but also to distribute light and wind in a calming and beautiful way.[5]
Traditionally, kumiko panels are made with hand tools only, though modern techniques exist, such as with a table saw, a sharp chisel, and some handmade guides. Some designs can be made with plywood, while others need to be made with hard or soft wood.