Wood Joinery: Isuka-tsugi
- 12 - 13 March 2025
- 18:30 - 19:30
- The Hall, Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
- https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/whats-on/wood-joinery-isuka-tsugi/
- +44 (0)20 7932 7100
- info@japanhouselondon.uk
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In conjunction with the opening of The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests, Japan House London presents two sessions of wood joinery demonstrations led by a carpenter from the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum.
The wood joinery technique isuka-tsugi takes its name from the isuka (crossbill) bird, which has a distinctively crossed beak that helps it feed on seeds and nuts. Similarly, in this technique, timber joints are carved to interlock in a staggered manner, resembling the bird’s beak.
In this event, Kubo Masayuki, a skilled carpenter specializing in Japanese woodworking techniques, will join exhibition curator Nishiyama Marcelo to demonstrate the process and provide a brief introduction to wood joinery. The moment when Kubo’s precisely cut timber pieces fit together seamlessly as if drawn to each other is sure to take your breath away.
*Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.
About the Speakers:
Kubo Masayuki is a skilled carpenter specializing in Japanese woodworking techniques. After training as a carpenter in Gunma from 2000, he established his own practice in 2015, focusing on residential construction and participating in temple and shrine projects. A highly accomplished craftsman, he won first place in Japan’s national kezuroukai ultra-thin wood shaving competition in 2017 and placed second in 2024. Since 2022, he has been a technical specialist at the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, where he continues to share his expertise in Japanese joinery and woodworking traditions.
Nishiyama Marcelo is a curator specializing in architectural history and design at the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum. He has curated an array of exhibitions based on research in the field of building technology. His work covers a wide range of subjects, including carpentry and tools, blade making and the art of sakan (Japanese plasterwork), as well as modern building techniques such as cross-laminated timber (CLT). He has recently curated exhibitions at the Manggha Museum (Poland) and the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris (France).
Booking Essential | Admission Free
