Kumiko - Japanese decorative woodwork, June 23rd 12:00 - 5:00pm

Kumiko is a traditional Japanese craft of decorative woodworking. It is the art of making panels of complex geometric patterns using precisely cut pieces of wood joined without the aid of other fixings such as nails, brackets or glue. It was first used in the Asuka period (600ce) and developed into hundreds of different patterns in the following centuries. Historically it was used in architecture and shoji construction and today is found in a variety of ornamental objects.

In this workshop you will make a small asa-no-ha (hemp leaf) pattern. We will discuss the different patterns of kumiko and their applications. You will be introduced to the tools and jigs required and shown how to use them. We will discuss kanna (planes), dozuki (saw), and nomi (chisels) and how they differ from their western counterparts. You will learn to mark out the pieces and cut them using a Japanese saw and bench hook, set up the kumiko angle jigs and pair the mitres using chisels and planes.  All tools and materials (plus extras for mistakes) will be provided.

Ed Alves is a local furniture maker with 30 years of experience. He apprenticed and worked in New York City before spending 10 years teaching furniture design at London Met University. He now runs Ed Alves Furniture from his workshop in Walthamstow. Japanese woodworking allows him the opportunity to step away from large projects and loud machines and work in a simpler, slower way. You can find him at edalvesstudio.co.uk