The Art of Japanese Joinery Paperback – January 1, 1982

The joiner's art, almost forgotten in the West by all but fine cabinetmakers, has had a long history in Japan, where it is still vigorously alive. The reputation of the traditional carpenter rests largely on his skill as a joiner, choosing and fashioning joints unknown in the West. This is lively introduction to Japanese joinery not only delves lovingly into the unique history and development of Japanese carpentry, but also reveals many secrets of Japanese joinery. Presenting 48 joints, selected from among the several hundred known and used today, this visually exciting book will please anyone who has ever been moved by the sheer beauty of wood. With the clear isometric projections complementing the 64 pages of stunning photographs, even the weekend carpenter can duplicate these bequests from the traditional Japanese carpenter, which can be applied to projects as large as the buildings for which most of them were originally devised or as small as a sewing box. Read more