Synopsis: Kintaro Yazawa brings a mind-bending flourish to woodworking’s most powerful joints. Tried-and-true joints take on new shapes like a hawk’s talons or letters to spell out a phrase. Freelance editor Jonathan Binzen tells us about Yazawa’s early career and his first encounter with inventive joinery in this back cover feature.

Click on the companion links below for step-by-step instructions on cutting Yazawa’s “letter tenon,” and to listen to Binzen’s audio slideshow about Yazawa and his work.

From Fine Woodworking #191

For the full article, download the PDF below:

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

French Curves

An essential for drawing and designing with curves.

Buy at Amazon

Drafting Tools

Add a hole guide to this kit, and you'll have the tools you need to work out your designs with scale drawings.

Buy at Amazon

Dividers

Incredibly useful for laying out, setting equal distances, and comparing measurements, these are an essential tool for any furniture maker.

Buy at Amazon

View PDF