November 21, 7:00 pm

@ The Studio

Creating Yosegi Zaiku (Japanese Marquetry)

or My Trip to Japan

This is not a travelogue on Joe's September trip to Japan. It is, however, the 

amazing marquetry of the intricate geometric designs called yosegi zaiku that he witnessed on his Japan trip.

His group visited the town of Hakone, a pleasant resort town southwest of Tokyo, which has been known for this technique for hundreds of years. Hakone was a stop on the Tokaido, the road from Kyoto to Edo (present day Tokyo), and items made using this technique were sold as souvenirs to travelers.

The technique is commonly associated with puzzle boxes but can be used to decorate almost any item.

Yosegi Zaiku makers arrange small pieces of wood into intricate patterns and then cut off almost unbelievably thin slices that are then glued to a box, a tray, or other item. To make the patterns, woods of distinct colors are cut and then glued together in increasingly complex designs. These designs are then glued together to form a sold block. Traditionally, a hand plane, which cuts on the pull stroke, is then used to shave off the thin slices.  There are now machines that can make the slices. The result is dazzling.

You will not want to miss this presentation, if for no other reason than to see if a modest Guild member (Joe Wheaton) can pull this off.

To really appreciate what is involved in the creation of Yosegi Zaiku, check out this short video  on YouTube of a master.

The presentation will take place at the Studio, but of course it will be available on Zoom at:

Those joining the meeting via Zoom should go to:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96184696029?pwd=MWZOUEZsejJua0pJY2tvbjVSVlFuZz09

Hint: The link never changes for the monthly meeting. It is the same every month.