Kumiko

Intricate interlocking wooden lattice patterns without nails or glue.

Kumiko is a traditional Japanese woodworking technique that creates intricate geometric lattice patterns by precisely cutting and assembling small pieces of wood without nails or adhesive. Used in shoji screens, ranma (transoms), and decorative panels, kumiko patterns include asanoha (hemp leaf), sakura (cherry blossom), and over 200 other traditional designs. Each tiny wooden piece must be cut to tolerances of fractions of a millimeter, requiring extraordinary skill and patience passed down through generations of master craftsmen.