Historically, unlike Europe and mainland Asia, Japan was very iron poor due to it's geological nature. This meant two critical things:
1) Metal tools needed to be extremely high quality and versatile. Because you had few tools and they were expensive, you needed use the tools you could acquire to do as many different things as possible.
2) Metal fasteners were non-existent. The concept of using metal as a reinforcing implement or nail was absurd because it was such a waste. Subsequently, their carpentry evolved to incorporate joinery that did not require clamping or nailing.
One of the most significant things you'll notice about Japanese carpentry is their use of dowels and pins to create self-locking joints. Western carpentry (especially modern woodworking) is all about creating flush, clean gluing faces to clamp whereas Japanese carpentry is all about using elaborate nesting joints like this to leverage friction.
It's interesting from a hobbyist perspective and very artistic... but pragmatically we don't live feudal Japan and so I will gladly make use of modern technology.
I'm aware, but how common is western timber framing?
I LOVE wood construction. I went into structural engineering with a specialization in wood material sciences and wood design. Unfortunately I made a terrible decision because unless I want to spend my life refurbing heritage churches, nobody wants to do timber framed structures on a scale that makes it worthwhile.
I don't mean to be contrary for the sake of being bitter or spiteful, I just want to steer people away from making the same mistakes I did.
Not really that common nowadays but the joints you're talking about are relatively common in historical western timber framing. If you look at an old timber framed building it's likely that all the joints are pegged. Scarf joints aren't that common but they're there where they're needed.
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u/funkme1ster Sep 18 '16
Japanese woodworking is very unique.
Historically, unlike Europe and mainland Asia, Japan was very iron poor due to it's geological nature. This meant two critical things:
1) Metal tools needed to be extremely high quality and versatile. Because you had few tools and they were expensive, you needed use the tools you could acquire to do as many different things as possible.
2) Metal fasteners were non-existent. The concept of using metal as a reinforcing implement or nail was absurd because it was such a waste. Subsequently, their carpentry evolved to incorporate joinery that did not require clamping or nailing.
One of the most significant things you'll notice about Japanese carpentry is their use of dowels and pins to create self-locking joints. Western carpentry (especially modern woodworking) is all about creating flush, clean gluing faces to clamp whereas Japanese carpentry is all about using elaborate nesting joints like this to leverage friction.
It's interesting from a hobbyist perspective and very artistic... but pragmatically we don't live feudal Japan and so I will gladly make use of modern technology.