In those days, such furniture was made by hand by carpenters. In Kyoto, the 'sashimono' tradition enjoys a very long history, it being possible to trace the associated joinery skills back to the court culture of the Heian Period (approx. 'Sashimono' is a term derived from the traditional practice of using a woodwork ruler (or a 'monosashi' in Japanese) to carefully measure timber materials in order to create box-shaped items of furniture, such being equipped with precise-fitting lids and drawers. Other timbers with similar properties may also be used.гѓ» в– Traditionally Used Raw Materials The following types of wood are used in the manufacture of Edo Sashimono: Mulberry, Zelkova, Paulownia and Cypress. If decorated, techniques such as maki-e (sprinkled pictures) and raden (mother-of-pearl inlays) are used.

гѓ» Mehajiki-nuri: The application of lacquer to open-grained wood like Paulownia or Zelkova in such a manner that it is repelled by the grain, which thus remains visible.

гѓ» Nuritate: A technique of applying a finishing coat of lacquer and allowing it to harden without subsequent polishing.

It is carried out by rubbing with a very fine abrasive such as pulverized deer horn applied to a cloth moistened with lacquer.

гѓ» Roiro-nuri: A polishing technique giving a high gloss.

Repetition results in a coating that protects and strengthens the wood and highlights the beauty of its grain. гѓ» Fuki-urushi: Raw lacquer is rubbed into the wood with a cotton cloth or brush and immediately wiped off before hardening.

When Edo Sashimono is lacquered, the following techniques are used:.The jointing of furniture frames involves aikakitsugi (halving joints), hozotsugi (tenon joints) and tometsugi (wedge joints).Furniture joinery techniques used in the production of Edo Sashimono include hagitsugi (butted joints), hashibame (tongue and groove joints), hirauchitsugi (flat braid joints), kumitetsugi (box joints) and tometsugi (wedge joints).May 14th, 1997 (National Certification) в– Traditional Technologies and Techniques в– Main Areas of Manufacture Taito Ward, Arakawa Ward, Koto Ward в– Designation/Certification Dates August 1st, 1983 (Tokyo Certification)

How to make a sashimono