Shoji and Kumiko Design: Book 1 The Basics

I got interested in Kumiko patterns after seeing some furniture made by Michael Pekovich. I bought the first 2 books from this series. After looking them over, I also bought the other two.About the first half of this first book covers Japanese tools and techniques used for making shoji. There is a lot of interesting information about Japanese planes and chisels including lots of detail on how to set up and maintain them.I personally use power tools and western-style chisels and planes. I do use mainly Japanese saws, but I'm not ready to switch to Japanese planes and chisels, yet. Regardless, I enjoyed reading through the first part of this book.The rest of the book is more focused on shoji. My main interest is in using elements of this in furniture. This books is very helpful and detailed in describing how to make the kumiko patterns. There is a lot of detail, and this holds true through the other three books in this series. If you want to actually make shoji or complex kumiko patterns, there is enough detail here to do so.The only thing that required a bit of "adjustment" is that all measurements and dimensions throughout are metric.I know I will continue to find inspiration in these books for a long time to com.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who is looking to get started in Kumiko and Shoji work. Desmond King has a great website (and some YouTube videos) that lay out the basics of this style, but they are nothing compared to the amount of information inside this book. It walks you through building several pieces from start to finish, and this book is the only way to get the plans for the number of jigs that king uses in his work. It will have you working in no time!It's also worth mentioning that this book is possibly the best English-language reference for the care and tuning of Japanese-styled hand planes. He dedicates the first portion of this book to ensuring that you understand how to set-up, care for, and occasionally tune-up these planes that are the backbone of kumiko work.If you know what you're doing here and are just looking for a great reference, or if you're looking for something new to do in woodworking, this book is a must-have. It will keep you busy for quite some time to come!

Brilliant! Can't wait to start trying out the techniques. On a recent trip to Japan I found incredible Kumiko designs everywhere and took lots of pictures. With Mr. King's books I'm all set to try creating my own designs. The process is a bit complex, but well worth the effort. A great gift for the woodworker in your life (in fact, Fine Woodworking magazine has recently had Kumiko projects on their cover). Oh...and by the way Mr. King also has some youtube videos which are helpful. (I bought both books)

This is a good book to start with!

Des King is, in my mind, the undisputed ruler of Kumiko making. This book is a bible.If you want to know the art, history and every esoteric process that goes behind making shoji and kumiko, this is the absolute number-one without-question book to get.It delves deeply into each part of the process. It covers the background, the why, the Ken, the tricks, tips, gotchas and philosophy.It is a masterpiece from an artist who is has a deep understanding of his art. It is very clear, like sitting with a true master, that this is simply book one. You will be filled to overflowing and your brain will burst with new knowledge, profound AH-HA moments and a real desire to rush out and DO... but you will also realise that this book (and Des himself) has such a profound quantity to show that simply being a student, no matter how good, will take a loooong time to get to this level (if ever).Then there is book 2.This book will absolutely make it to be one of the absolute golden must-haves in every craftsmans library in a century.It is worth every cent. You will keep it forever and I would not be surprised if you still learn from it in 40 years time.

Not yet through it but from what i read and saw Mr King`s book is transmitting deep knowledge and love for this arts craftmanship and gives marvellous and understanding explanations and important hints for starting this delicious object.Many thanks for his great bookFranz

When I first started kumiko everything was in Japanese. Then I found this book and in English no less. I had no idea what shoji was till I read book 1. The history, and exercises are so important to learn first. Crawl, walk, then run.As I got to the kumiko part I knew how to use a saw better, had jigs I never knew existed, and tools I'd seen but didn't know what they were for.To sum it up it made me a better cabinet maker.

Very informative and looking forward to the next few books in the series.

Vamos a aprender el arte de Kumiko

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Great intro book for shoji and kumiko. Section on plane setup and maintenance is excellent to have

The first part of book is about japanese tools that use to create shoji and kumiko, how to sharpen japanese blade and some necessary jigs. The other part is how to build a frame of shoji, in detail. There is some kumiko pattern on the last chapters.Then you need books 2, 3, 4 for more kumiko patterns.

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