Japanese Joinery

by Dorian Bracht

Overview

Japanese Joinery showcases traditional and modern Japanese joinery techniques through beautiful photography and detailed illustrations.

Japanese joinery is viewed by many as being an art as well as a craft.   This is borne out by the intricate design and craftsmanship of the joints highlighted in this book. Over 50 different joints are showcased, ranging from traditional joints, which have been used over hundreds of years, to the most recent innovations in Japanese joint design.

The joints are illustrated by photographs of both complete and deconstructed, as well as carefully hand-drawn technical illustrations. The accompanying text describes the history of each joint, how they are used, variations, and tips on how the joints are constructed. There is also a comprehensive section on Japanese woodworking tools.  Both inspirational and hands-on, this exciting new book is a "must have" for woodworkers at all levels.

Dorian Bracht’s extensive carpentry experience provides readers with a comprehensive guide to the world of traditional Japanese joinery and its influence throughout the world on woodworking and joinery today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784945565
Publisher:	Guild of Master Craftsman
Publication date:	11/26/2024
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	232,185
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Born in Los Angeles in 1986, Dorian Bract spent his early years in California and Hong Kong. After finishing school, he embarked on an apprenticeship in Leipzig Germany to learn how to build Japanese shoji and fusuma sliding doors, as well as solid wood furniture. Throughout this time, Dorian learned both traditional German and Japanese woodworking techniques. Having a huge passion for joinery and woodcraft, Dorian has been working as a talented woodworker since 2012. Japanese Joinery is his first book and is an amalgamation of his knowledge and talent in joinery. He is based in Berlin.

Instagram @dorianbracht (22,300 followers)
YouTube @DorianBracht (195,000 subscribers)

Table of Contents

Introduction 6
A Brief History of Japanese Carpentry 8
Measuring and Marking Tools and Techniques 10
Carpentry Marking-Up Techniques 13
Furniture-Making Marking-Up Techniques 14
Saws 17
Chisels 18
Planes 21
Sharpening Woodworking Tools 25

Chapter 1: Lengthening Joints 28
Stub-Tenoned Scarf Joint 30
Oblique Dadoed and Rebated Scarf Joint 32
Rebated Oblique and Dadoed Scarf Joint 34
Blind Dadoed and Rebated Scarf Joint 36
Housed Rebated Oblique Scarf Splice Joint 38
L-Shaped Dadoed and Rebated Scarf Joint 40
Four-Faced Oblique Scarf Joint 42
Double-Faced, Halved Rebated and Oblique Scarf Splice Joint 44
Rebated, Halved Dadoed and Keyed Scarf Joint 46
Triple-Faced Halved and Rebated Oblique Scarf Joint 48
Four-Sided Dovetail Joint 50
Four-Sided Gooseneck Splice Joint 52
Diagonal Gooseneck Splice Joint 54
Alternating Four-Sided Elongated Dovetail Splice Joint 56
Otemon Gate Pillar Splice Joint 58
Stub Mortise and Tenon Joint 60
Half-Lapped Dadoed and Keyed Splice Joint 62
Tongue and Grooved Butt Joint with a Keyed Sliding Dovetail 64
Dovetailed Tenon Splice Joint 66
Half-Lapped Dovetail Splice Joint 68
Half-Lapped Stub-Tenoned Dovetail Splice Joint 70
Half-Lap Gooseneck Splice Joint with Stub-Tenon 72
Gooseneck Splice Joint with Mitred Face 74
Stub-Tenoned Pole Tenon Joint with Locking Keys 76
Butt Joint with Dovetail Insert 78
Butt Joint with Hammerhead Insert 80
X-Shaped Dadoed Ship End Joint 82
Diagonal Keyed Splice Joint with Blind Stub Tenons 84

Chapter 2: Right-Angle Joints 86
Half-Dovetailed and Wedged Mortise and Tenon Joint 88
Drawbored Mortise and Tenon Joint 90
Tusk Tenon Joint 92
Pegged Diagonal Through Mortise and Tenon Joint 94
Blind Wedged Mortise and Tenon Joint 96
Double Tenon Joint 98
Sword Tip Mitre Joint 100
Sliding Dovetail Joint with Blind Stub Tenon 102
Blind Housed Dovetail Joint 104
Blind Housed and Mitred Dovetail Joint 106
Keyed Blind Dovetail Joint 108
Stub-Tenoned Right Angle Joint with a Keyed Floating Tenon 110
Notched and Half-Lapped Dovetail Joint 112
Twisted Compound Dovetail with Oblique Tenon Joint 114
Cross-Lap Joint with Mitred Abutments 116
Cross-Lap Joint with Mitred Notch 118
Through Mortise and Tenon Joint with Mitred Faces 120
Half-Blind Hammerhead Mortise and Tenon Joint 122
Mitred Bridle Joint 124
Haunched Through Mortise and Tenon Joint with a Mitred Face 126
Blind Mitred Dovetailed Mortise and Tenon Joint 128
Half-Blind Gooseneck Mortise and Tenon Joint 130
Blind Mitred and Keyed Box Joint 132
Mitred and Haunched Mortise and Tenon Joint with Tongue and Groove Shoulder 134
Keyed Haunched and Stub-Tenoned Pole Tenon Joint 136
Dadoed and Rebated Housed Splice Joint with Key 138
Pegged and Wedged Housed Hammerhead Scarf Joint 140
Tapered, Stacked and Pegged Mortise and Tenon Joint 142
Keyed Three-Way Joint 144
Stacked Mortise and Tenon Joint 146
Keyed Four-Way Pole Tenon Joint 148
Keyed Four-Way Floating Tenon Joint 150
Keyed Sliding Dovetail Joint 152
Triped Orientated Connection 154

Chapter 3: Case Joints 156
Oblique Box Joint 158
Twisted Dovetail Joint 160
Double Sunrise Dovetail Joint 162
Reverse Dovetail Joint 164
Mitred Blind Dovetail Joint 166
Through Tenon Joint with a Mitred Face 168

Conclusion 170
Bibliography 171
Glossary 172
Index 174
About the Author 175

Editorial Reviews

"...a fascinating exploration on the art of woodworking, centering around its namesake. Traditional Japanese joinery has a reputation for being intricate and precise. This book will not dissuade you from that opinion, but it will break down and present the joints in a way that’s easier for a Western woodworker to get a grasp on."
Woodsmith magazine, 1st February 2025

"The book begins with an overview of Japanese tools and furniture-making techniques...The main part of the book is made up of over 50 joints, including both traditional and more modern innovations. Each is described in detail and supported with clear diagrams and photographs of the finished joint...Dorian’s enthusiasm for joint making is infectious and will surely inspire readers to pick up their tools!"
Furniture & Cabinet Making magazine, 10th October 2024

From the Publisher