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Japanese Craftsman Demonstrates Intricate Marquetry Technique

CNC-like complexity, all done by hand

By Rain Noe - November 3, 2016

This is a crazy combination of low-tech production methods, precision hand craftsmanship, graphic design and utter patience. Here craftsman Noboru Honma demonstrates a fabrication technique that yields CNC-like visual complexity, yet has been executed for centuries, long before the discovery of electricity:

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The technique was developed in the Hakone region of Japan during the Edo period (1600s to 1800s). You can learn more about this Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku technique at the Japanese Traditional Culture Promotion and Development Organization's website.

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Japanese Craftsman Demonstrates Intricate Marquetry Technique

Gigi Rodgers

3 years ago

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This is so impressive. The fact, especially, that he doesn't use any electrical tools, but still does it the traditional way. This is a tedious task, that takes a LOT of discipline and attention to detail. I appreciate the crap out of people like this.
I wasn't expecting the "scraping" effect to make the "paper". The colors seemed even more vibrant. Gorgeous, gorgeous work...

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Rain Noe

I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.