Kumiko is a Japanese woodworking technique. It is applied to lamps, partition panels, doors and wall decorations. It is a kind of mosaic with wooden strips. In Japan, there are factories where the equipment is made especially for this technique. Outside Japan, it is more seen as a craft. During the workshop, we will give a small introduction and then get to work making some simple patterns ourselves. We do this with a special Japanese saw and specific tools. 

Kumiko is a quiet and thoughtful technique that requires a lot of patience and precision. The ancient Japanese woodworking technique involves making patterns of small pieces of interlocking wood. In Japan, it is used for (shoji) lamps, panels or wall decoration. 

Work with an accuracy of 0.1mm, otherwise, your piece will fall apart. We will work with a Japanese (draw) saw and have to be careful with a very sharp chisel. You will be introduced to the Izustu-tsunagi pattern. Depending on your skill and perseverance, you will make your first kumiko panel (20 x 20 cm). 

Rob Alferink is a builder of wooden lamps. And for many years experienced in using the kumiko technique. It is a challenge every time to learn new kumiko patterns and incorporate them in a lamp. His lamps find their way to Norway, Luxembourg, Canada, the US and several other countries.