traditional japaneese wooden joinery

Traditional Japanese construction uses joints with long, slender tenons known as saohozo (rod or pole tenons) and mortises called saomichi. These joints are reinforced with blind or stub tenons, as well as regular tenons cut into either side of the joint, to add extra strength. A straight drop-rod joint with keys called shachi is used to join two timbers, and haunched mortises are cut in both male and female sections to form slots into which the keys can be driven. One type of joint is called sanbouhako mechigai, which refers to a 3-faced boxed blind rod timber with keys. The mortise has a square blind U-shaped tenon cut on the face, and a haunched rod tenon and the U-shaped cavities fit into the mortised part, with keys inserted for reinforcement. Japanese cypress is a popular type of wood used in traditional Japanese construction due to its high resistance to rot, clear grain, and support strength after aging. Additionally, grooved wood pieces are often joined together to form sturdy 3D objects and produce longer pieces.

BACK- LEFT ELEVATION MALE

FRONT- RIGHT ELEVATION

Schematic Working Diagram

FRONT- RIGHT ELEVATION FEMALE

MALE AND FEMALE JOINT IN PLAN

MALE AND FEMALE JOINT IN SECTION