How to make Yosegi?
The art of Yosegi (mosaic woodwork) has been handed down from generation to generation. In Japan today traditional Japanese Yosegi continues to be handmade by masters. These mosaics are made from rods of different woods that are glued together and cut perpendicularly into fine slices. Difference in texture and color is achieved through the choice of different species and qualities of wood: WHITE Spindle or Ilex macropoda, BLACK Aged Katsura, YELLOW Picrasma quassioides, Mulberry or Sumac, BROWN Camphor and Amur maackia, PURPLE American walnut, BLUE Japanese cucumber, RED Chinese cedar.
Yosegi Making 1
Each piece of different-colored wood is planed to the proper thickness and fastened with glue to make the Yosegi pattern.
Yosegi Making 2
The layered wood is then cut into smaller pieces to fit the Yosegi-specific mold.
Yosegi Making 3
These pieces are tied together and glued into a unit pattern.
Yosegi Making 4
The cut slices are then glued together again. The resulting plate is called Tanegi.
Yosegi Making 5
These pieces are tied together and glued into a unit pattern.
Yosegi Making 6
This plate is carefully shaved into thin sheets with a special plane. This shaved sheet is called Duku.
Yosegi Making 7
The shaved sheets are shrunk, ironed and applied to the products. To add glaze and sturdiness to the surface, a finishing coat of lacquer is applied.
Yosegi Decorated Products.
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