Kumiko Blocks
The shoji screens that divide rooms in traditional Japanese homes and temples are made from washi glued to Kumiko frames. The frames themselves feature tight-fitting, intricate wooden joinery that is assembled without glue or nails.
Japanese culture has a high regard for crafts in every form. Over the centuries Kumiko has evolved into a delicate and beautiful art form that combines geometry and precision to form frames for screens, windows and lampshades of breathtaking beauty.
Kumiko is made from well-seasoned straight-grained timbers that are all planed to the same width and thickness. Besides the Kumiko blocks, the next most important tool required is a razor-sharp chisel or plane blade. Wider blades are able to register against the Kumiko block, pivot on the angled plane and shave away the excess with ease.
On page 66 you can read how I used a potter’s wheel and some 120-grit silicon carbide powder to resurrect the chipped and unloved Japanese plane blade above. After spending two hours honing and sharpening the blade it really did become an extension of my hand. Using it to cut the facets on the Kumiko pieces was a real joy. Japanese sharp makes all the difference when you are
