The lengths of kumiko are at last joined into a lattice of triangles. The aim now is to fill in each of the triangles with smaller pieces of cedar to form the sakura—or cherry blossom—pattern. The first pieces to go in form the center of the blossoms. Using a chisel and a small paring guide, [...]
With the kumiko strips precisely thicknessed, I gather them into small bunches in order to cut the joints that will hold them together in a diamond-shaped lattice. Three strips cross each other at every meeting place. To make this work, one-third of each strip is kept intact and the other two-thirds removed. The third left [...]
“In the 18th century, people were trying to find beauty in wood. In the 17th century, they were trying to hide it.” — Jennie Alexander, green woodworking pioneer Four centuries ago, along the eastern seaboard and inland as far as anyone could go, wood was everywhere. Forests loomed large, homes were framed with timber, furniture—stools, chairs, [...]
“At this moment a flower blossoms, a leaf falls–it is a manifestation of sustained exertion…Everything is exertion. To attempt to avoid exertion is an impossible evasion, for the attempt itself is exertion.” –Ehei Dogen (1200-1253), Shobogenzo, as quoted in de Bary et. al., Sources of Japanese Tradition, New York: Columbia University Press, 1958.
