Kyo-Sashimono
About Kyo-Sashimono
Kyo-Sashimono is the traditional Kyoto wood joinery technique, assembling pieces without using metal nails. Its aesthetic is defined by the courtly elegance (miyabi) and the Tea Ceremony’s wabi-sabi spirit, highlighting the wood's inherent beauty (e.g., Paulownia, Zelkova). Known for invisible, precise hozo (mortise and tenon) joints, its main products are tea utensils and fine furniture. Distinct from other joinery styles, Kyo-Sashimono prioritizes artistic and ceremonial sophistication over mere practicality.
History of Kyo-Sashimono
The history of Kyo-Sashimono began with the advanced woodworking techniques of the Nara period. Its elegant style was established during the Heian period through the production of furnishings for the imperial court. The key development occurred in the Muromachi period with the rise of the Tea Ceremony, which, influenced by masters like Sen no Rikyu, cemented the wabi-sabi aesthetic that respects natural wood beauty. The craft spread to the merchant class during the Edo period, ensuring technical maturity. It continues today, designated as a National Traditional Craft since 1976.