Sobokuya Vietnam is a Japanese architecture and construction company. We use the Kigumi Japanese wood joining technique in the construction of traditional Japanese wooden houses.

We use the Jikugumi method and Kigumi wood joining technique with the desire to preserve and develop traditional construction techniques, helping customers better understand the history and culture of Japan through traditional wooden house architecture. Kigumi Japanese wood joining is not merely a technique used in the construction and architecture of traditional wooden houses but also a spirit, a philosophy of life, and a cultural beauty.

What is the Kigumi Japanese wood joining technique?

The Kigumi (木組み) technique is a traditional Japanese wood joining technique without the use of screws that dates back to the Jomon period and flourished in the 7th century (Heian period). This is a complex jointing technique, requiring the carpenter to have high skills and a deep understanding of each type of joint. By not using screws, adhesives will increase the life of the product and are especially easy to maintain and dismantle.

Initially, the Japanese technique of joining wood, Kigumi was only used by Miyadaiku carpenters during the construction and repair of shrines. During the Edo period, this technique became popular and began to be used in traditional Japanese wooden houses.

After the Meiji period, houses were built according to new methods, new techniques were developed in turn with the desire to solve the housing situation, leading to the Japanese technique of wood joining Kigumi or the method of building a wooden frame Jikugumi losing its popularity.

The Japanese way of joining wood in construction

Japan is a country that suffers a lot of heavy damage due to earthquakes and to find a solution for housing, many experiments have been launched. In 2007, the Research Institute of Construction (Germany) and the Japan Center for Wood and Housing Technology conducted a test of the durability and earthquake resistance of the wooden frame construction method. As a result, the house did not collapse even when it was tilted and deformed. This shows that the traditional wooden frame construction method and Kigumi Japanese wood joining technique are suitable for the frequent earthquake situation here.

There are quite a few types of joints in the Japanese Kigumi wood grafting technique, but to clearly divide them, Sobokuya has synthesized them into four main types as follows:

• Mortise and tenon: a connection technique by holding a tenon and a mortise together. This technique makes the wood beautiful in color and pattern.
• Lengthen joining: the basic technique of lengthening a piece of wood. After cutting and chiseling two pieces of wood (similar in properties and dimensions), join them to lengthen the wood while keeping the strength and durability of the wood.
• T-joining: A technique commonly used when joining beams and posts in traditional Japanese wooden houses.
• Triple joining: A technique of using three pieces of wood together, in which 1/3 of the thickness of the wood is treated to fit into the mortises of the remaining two pieces of wood.

From the four main types of Japanese wood joining, there are hundreds of different types of wood joints. A Twitter account allied to @TheJoinery_jp has described Japanese woodworking techniques in 3D to help lovers of the traditional method and the ingenuity of carpenters’ hands.

Advantages – Disadvantages of the Japanese wood joining technique

Advantages

• Durability: Compared with other building materials, wood is highly durable as proven by ancient Japanese temples and shrines that are thousands of years old. Although the country has experienced many earthquakes, wars, etc., the wooden architecture is still standing like a monument in the history of the country.
• Design flexibility: Kigumi Japanese wood joining technique demonstrates flexibility in construction. By joining wood together to form strong structures or extending wood without the use of iron screws while maintaining durability.
• Short construction time: Compared with modern houses, the construction of traditional Japanese wooden houses is relatively fast. Sobokuya’s skilled carpenters understand wood characteristics, taking advantage of the wood to maximize its quality and strength through the Kigumi technique.
• Easy to repair: Wood is a renewable material. When a part of the house is damaged, Sobokuya will easily repair it by replacing the damaged wood. This is also how the Daiku maintained their temple buildings for hundreds of years.
• High earthquake resistance: As mentioned in the introduction, there have been many experiments on earthquake resistance when using the Jikugumi method and the Kugumi Japanese wood grafting technique in housing construction, both of which achieved results. positive.
• Protect the environment: Wood is a natural material that has the ability to control humidity to help maintain a balance in your home and protect the health of your family.

Disadvantages

• High construction costs: To ensure a project is built and finished with the best quality, we only use 1-2 highly skilled carpenters. This means that construction costs will be higher than for other construction methods.
• High requirements for fire protection: Not only wood materials are weak to fire, but other materials in construction deform when exposed to high temperatures for a long time. However, if the log house is damaged by fire, it is usually easy to build or repair thanks to the flexibility in the design of the wooden house when using the methods of Jikugumi and Japanese wood joining Kigumi.

Application of the Japanese wood joining technique Kigumi

Nowadays, the Kigumi wood joining technique is most often used in the architecture of temples, pagodas, traditional Japanese wooden houses, etc. Wooden architecture is not only suitable for the Japanese climate but also shows the talent, wisdom and skillful hands of the Japanese carpenters.

In addition, this technique is also used while constructing Japanese style furniture or building toys for young children. Although not too popular, this is also a way to help the younger generation get in touch with the traditional techniques of the nation.

Summary

We – Sobokuya Vietnam believe that preserving and promoting the traditional Kigumi wood joining technique will help preserve and develop Japanese culture. Introducing the unique features of our country to friends on five continents was our wish when we decided to open a branch in Vietnam.

Contact us if you are interested in the Japanese Kigumi joining technique. At the Sobokuya Vietnam office, we have samples of joints available for you to experience this unique technique.

Sobokuya Vietnam – Consulting, design, and construction in Japanese style
Website: https://sobokuya.vn/
Fanpage : Sobokuya Vietnam
Address: R102, 01SH11, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Trau Quy town, Gia Lam, Hanoi..
Tel: (84) 03 8284 2525
Email: info@sobokuya.vn