What are tsugite and shikuchi?

There are two types of kigumi joints in Japan’s wooden architecture. Splicing joints that extend pieces of wood in the same direction are called tsugite, while connecting joints made at angles are called shikuchi. Although shikuchi are essential to wood construction, tsugite are more commonly used in large-scale architecture, where a single length of timber proves to be insufficient. 

Today, metal fittings requiring minimal time, effort and craft have become mainstream – however, the ancient and varied techniques for connecting wood, passed down by generations of carpenters, continue to fascinate and delight. Here, we reveal the most common examples in a disassembled state, inviting you to take a closer look at the hidden craftsmanship within these joints.
 

のげ継ぎ

1. Noge-tsugi 

Rabbeted, blind-mortised and tenoned, scarfed gooseneck joint

This joinery technique was used in the eave supports of the dining hall at the temple, Engyō-ji, built in Hyōgo Prefecture in the mid-Muromachi period (1336–1573). On the building’s front elevation, a more discreet scarf joint (sogi-tsugi) was employed, whereas in the rear this stronger noge-tsugi joint was used. It is a complex form combining the strength of an abridged gooseneck joint (ryaku-kama) and a stub mortise and tenon joint (mechigai).
 

箱台持継ぎ

2. Hako-daimochi-tsugi

Shipped, pinned and halved half-lap joint

This is a cantilevered joint used in the uchinori-nageshi (beams for sliding screen framing) of the main hall at Daisen-in, constructed in Kyoto in 1513. For the visually exposed underside and side faces, a simple scarf joint (sogi-tsugi) is used. On the back, a box-shaped variation of the abridged gooseneck joint (ryaku-kama) is combined with a cross lap joint (ai-gaki) and key haunch mortise and tenon joint (shachi-tsugi), forming a unified and durable structure.