Kumiko Woodworking Class: Japanese Wood Joinery

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Kumiko Woodworking Class: Japanese Wood Joinery

Build a wooden flower vase using centuries-old Japanese joinery - no nails, no glue, just precisely cut wood.

Resobox

4.9 (172)

ClassBento donates with every booking to

1.5 hours

East Village

1 to 12 (public classes), 8 to 30 (private) (private classes)

$113 ($300 per class surcharge applies for private classes)

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Overview

Reviews

Teacher

What you'll do

Kumiko is the traditional Japanese art of assembling delicate wooden lattices without nails or glue. Each piece is cut so precisely that the pattern holds together through fit alone—a technique developed over centuries and still used in shoji screens and fine interiors across Japan.

In this hands-on class, you'll practice three classic kumiko patterns and then use what you learn to create your own flower vase (ichirin-zashi). The three practice patterns are made one at a time in the same reusable frame, which stays in the studio—everything you learn from them goes into the vase you take home.

Here's what we'll do:

Start with an introduction to kumiko: what it is and how it has been used in Japanese architecture for centuries
Practice the three foundation patterns—asa-no-ha (hemp leaf), rindo (gentian), and goma (sesame)—one at a time, taking each pattern apart before moving on to the next
Design your own one-of-a-kind ichirin-zashi vase using any combination you like: repeat a favorite pattern, use a single pattern throughout, or mix the three across different sections
Assemble your finished vase, which comes with a clear acrylic back that doubles as a display stand

You will take home one finished piece: your completed ichirin-zashi flower vase.

Your instructor will guide you through the correct order of assembly. The secret to kumiko is knowing how much pressure to use—when a piece fits just right, it slides smoothly into place with no force at all. It's an unexpectedly calming thing to get the hang of.

All kits are handcrafted by Ominato Bunkichi Shoten, a kumiko atelier in Kamo, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, whose artisans cut each component from fine Japanese wood. This is your chance to work with genuine craft materials that are rarely available outside Japan.

What you'll get

One finished piece to take home: your completed ichirin-zashi flower vase. During class, you will practice all three foundation patterns—asa-no-ha (hemp leaf), rindo (gentian), and goma (sesame)—one at a time in the same reusable frame, taking each apart before moving on to the next. The practice frame stays in the studio, and you can design your vase using any combination of the three patterns. The vase comes with a clear acrylic back that doubles as a display stand. All wood pieces, tools, and materials are provided. Flowers are not included.

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Recent reviews of Kumiko Woodworking Class: Japanese Wood Joinery

5/5 from Anthony Mejias, attended Sep 2026: The Kumiko workshop is fun and informative. The instructor provides a brief history of Kumiko and shows images of buildings in Japan constructed using just friction joining. The workshop proceeds with demostrations of the various shapes and a separate wooden piece to practice constructing yhe shape. After confidrnt, work on yhe longer actual piece begins. Students can then use the shapes wherever the like on yhe frame. Studemts can evrn create theuir oen mix and matchung the shapes. Kumiko is fun and if something you'd like to try head on over to Resobox.
4/5 from Anthony Mejias, attended Sep 2026: The class was fun and I kearned more about Kimiko. The President of the Kumiko organization jn Japan was present today and he even showed me a tip kn how to organize the pieces of wood to better create one of the shapes. Nice thing about this is after learning 5he shapes, one can then use each shape however s/he desires. I myself mixed the Comes and Rindõ shapes in the center. Kumiko is fun, and best part is no glue, nails or anything but friction to hold together.
5/5 from Anthony Mejias, attended Aug 2026: The Japanese joinery workshop was enjoyable. The moderators start out with a short history of the technique of not using any type of fastenings begond friction. The class began with us creating the item on the stand. We began with that; called Asanoha; to lean how to insert, hold and ensure the friction fit. After that we proceeded to the oblong and created two more stylized shapes, the Gomas (top most shape) and the Rindō (second from top). The student could also attemp to create their own shape by combing the other three or using the woed to create an idea of his/her own. I must point out that given the fragility of the wood a light touch, one must be also patient to not break the wood, and have a certain finger dexterity to hold the pieces of the Asanoha in place. I recommend the workshop and personally am going to repeat.

Your teacher

Resobox

4.9 (172)

RESOBOX is a Japanese cultural center located in New York City, offering a variety of Japanese cultural classes and events at its venue and online.

The center serves as a gathering place for individuals who are knowledgeable about, committed to, and influenced by Japanese culture. It enables them to create innovative art through collaboration and disseminate their creations to a global audience.

The founders of RESOBOX believe that by supporting these artists as our instructors and partners, a truly innovative and sophisticated Japanese culture can evolve, resonating with individuals around the world.

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4.9 (172 reviews)

$113 per guest

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(172 reviews)

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$113 per guest

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For groups of 8 to 30 guests

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Kumiko Woodworking Class: Japanese Wood Joinery

Build a wooden flower vase using centuries-old Japanese joinery - no nails, no glue, just precisely cut wood.

Upcoming dates for Kumiko Woodworking Class: Japanese Wood Joinery

Recent reviews of Kumiko Woodworking Class: Japanese Wood Joinery