JAPANESE JOINT STUDY

from ARC 382 | Final Comprehensive Binder

Soulages Museum

The Sampo Gumi Shikuchi exhibition designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The exhibition was held at the Aomori Museum of Art in Japan in 2019 and focused on the history and legacy of the Sampo Gumi Shikuchi joint venture.

The name «Sampo Gumi» translates to «Three Treasure Group» in English, referring to the three companies that came together to form the joint venture. «Shikuchi» means «precision» in Japanese, indicating the focus of the joint venture on producing high-precision semiconductors.

Kengo Kuma designed the exhibition space to reflect the precision and innovation of the Sampo Gumi Shikuchi’s semiconductor production. The exhibit featured a variety of displays, including vintage electronics products that used Sampo Gumi Shikuchi’s semiconductors, as well as interactive installations that allowed visitors to explore the history and technology of the joint venture.

Sampo Gumi Shikuchi translates to the three-sided joint is a type of traditional Japanese woodworking joint that has been used in the construction of wooden buildings, furniture, and other objects for centuries. As its name suggests, the joint consists of three pieces of wood that are joined together at a 90-degree angle.

To create a three-sided joint, one piece of wood is cut with a slot or groove that runs along its length, while two other pieces of wood are cut with matching tongues or tenons that fit snugly into the slot. When the three pieces are fitted together, the joint forms a strong and stable connection that is able to support weight and resist lateral forces.

The three-sided joint is valued for its simplicity and strength, and is often used in the construction of traditional Japanese architecture, such as tea houses and temples. The joint’s design allows for a high degree of precision and accuracy, making it ideal for use in the intricate and delicate work that is characteristic of Japanese woodworking.

In addition to its practical applications, the three-sided joint is also valued for its aesthetic qualities. The joint’s clean lines and precise angles create a visually striking pattern that is often used as a decorative element in furniture, doors, and other wooden objects.