Joints Without Glue Or Nails,

are a common theme in Japan,

but are now getting less so, the practise dates back to the seventh century and is a craftsmanship technique that involves complicated, interlocking wooden joints that form bonds without the use of nails, screws or adhesives, all images courtesy of tsugite,

 

the art is known as tsugite, and was going into decline, but a team of researchers from Tokyo University have created a software program that can generate these wooden joints, which can then be fabricated,

the creators named the project ‘tsugite’ after the Japanese word for joinery,

the system allows users to create custom joints, or to pick from a series of ready-made designs. once a joint concept is finalized, it can be manufactured using a CNC milling machine. furthermore, the producers sought to give the opportunity to users with little or no prior experience in woodworking and 3D design to create their functional wooden structures in minutes, what a neat idea to refresh what was a declining craft.