Unlocking Japanese Joinery: Layout and Shaping Paperback – December 22, 2025

Begin your journey into Japanese joinery by mastering the art of layout and shaping joints with fundamental hand tools, saws, hammers and chisels.This illustrated guide breaks down time-honored techniques into step-by-step instructions and detailed 3D illustrations, making them accessible to both beginners and experienced woodworkers.Whether you’re a seasoned artisan or a DIY enthusiast, Unlocking Japanese Joinery: Layout and Shaping provides a clear, practical approach to crafting precise, enduring joints in the Japanese woodworking tradition.After covering the fundamentals, centerline layout is introduced as a practical technique for aligning joints with precision, even when working with curved or out-of-square timbers.Learn to lay out Japanese joints using traditional proportions, where the post dimension governs the size of every joint and timber in the structure.Master complex joints through fully illustrated, step-by-step material removal, with no steps implied or left to interpretation. Read more