The Quiet Art of Kumiko
Sometimes we need a break from the noise and dust of machine work. Take a quiet moment and watch as Mike Pekovich assembles a beautiful kumiko panel.
The Japanese latticework technique of kumiko is traditionally found on shoji screens, but it is making its way into contemporary furniture as well. The furniture of John Reed Fox inspired me to incorporate kumiko into my own work, and I’ve used the technique in a number of pieces over the last two years, from boxes to cabinets to case pieces. My process has evolved over that time. I make the half-lap grid at the tablesaw and handle the rest of the work with a sharp chisel and a pair of beveled guide blocks.
Making kumiko requires precise work, but I don’t find it tedious or boring. I actually look forward to the quiet bench time the process affords, and the result is always a nice addition to a project. I hope this article demystifies the process a little and encourages you to give it a try. For design inspiration and more information on shoji and kumiko, I recommend the excellent books Making Shoji by Toshio Odate and Shoji and Kumiko Design by Desmond King.
Comments
Absolutely love this video! I've followed on Instagram and love what you do! I've got a good idea on how you are doing kumiko and there's something totally peaceful about what you are doing. Completely in the spirit of woodworking. Thank you!
Are these components glued in any way?
There's more info in the related article.
Absolutely beautiful!
Take a quiet moment... and then ruin it with guitar. Would much prefer to listen to the sounds of the tools.
Really happy with the new website and quality of the video content as of late. I used to feel it was not reflective of the quality of the magazine...but not anymore. You guys are hitting it out of the park. This kumiko video was just lovely.
What kind of chisel does he use?
Mike, did you build the jigs/fixtures used to cut each piece? If so, plans would be great to see. If not, where can it be purchased? Also what species of wood were you working with?
The plans for the jigs are in the related article on the bottom right. He was using pine for the kumiko in this video.
Thanks Mike this was very pleasant to watch enjoyed it.
Very nice, Mike, Ben. I agree with kevin0611, really happy with the improvements to the content and site. Nicely done!
Mike always appears chilled and completely in control in all the videos, but this one is off the scale! Thanks!
Kumiko does look like a great decompression exercise -- patient, tranquil and settling. Master Mike makes it look so easy. I feel I relate to Mike better than anyone else I have found in the vast world of internet training -- perhaps because we share a second passion of art direction and design. And Ben, thanks for pointing the way. Love the site and spend a lot of time here. I also agree with all the positive comments on this video and the site in general -- and usually want full screeching volume in my videos, but this one would have benefitted from just a whisper of guitar under the sounds of Mike working.
Brilliant video - I have used a similar style incorporated into parts of a few projects but never as calm and peaceful as the video illustrates. Great job and makes me want to add some to my next project. Thanks!
agreed...handwork should be relaxing and enjoyable! Very nice video and I particularly enjoyed the music...
Great video Ben. All the "yes guitar/no guitar" "suggestions/complaints" are simply naff and do not take away from the fact this is a great lttle video.
Also, I do want to say that the videos on the rest of the new site have improved (and in many cases, that is truly saying something). Thanks Ben, you're doing a fantastic job.
Great video, music was spot on and Mike well he was just Mike, cool, relaxed best instructor around.
Great video, great techniques. More Mike
Beautiful video. I read the article in a recent article and getting started has been on my to-do list since then. Today I will make the jigs, rip some white pine, and get started. Thanks. Videos like this are great for our craft. I teach woodworking to autistic children, and know that they will love the video. A few students will pick up Kumiko quickly and be brilliant at it.
I’ve been adding kumiko to my pieces for a couple of years. It is truly meditative! Does FWW have any plans for hands on classes in the Pacific Northwest? We seem to get ignored up here!
Because you are working with long grain and very short pieces is there never enough expansion and contraction to matter?
https://blog.bridgecitytools.com/2013/07/23/how-to-make-the-fog-of-war-board-in-pictures/#more-6696
https://bridgecitytools.com/products/jmpv2-jointmaker-pro
It's still a hand tool, it's still quiet, and it's a lot faster.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in