Japanese woodworking utilizes ingenious hand-tool joinery to construct pieces without the use of fasteners or adhesives. These techniques emphasize the strength of each individual piece of wood creating a finished project that will stand the test of time. There is no rotting via rusted fasteners and no cracking or splitting from constraining the wood when it wants to move.

As the perfect place to begin a journey of understanding the nuanced beauty of Japanese woodworking, Essential Japanese Joinery is geared toward beginners with no Japanese woodworking knowledge. Author Hisao Zen, creator of the popular online video course, DIY Japanese Joinery, starts readers with an explanation of all the tools needed and how best to keep them sharp. With tools ready for use, the step-by-step photography and expert instructions detail how to craft essential connecting and splicing joints by hand. With several plans for skill-building projects, Essential Japanese Joinery puts all the newly learned abilities to work.

With Essential Japanese Joinery, anyone interested in hand-tool woodworking will discover:

• How to read anticipate the movement of wood grain.


• Expert techniques for using each tool.


• Sharpening and maintenance practices for hand tools.


• The strengths and weaknesses of joints and when to use them.