Dylan Iwakuni: Japanese wood joinery
A woodworker trained under a Kyoto master shows traditional Japanese joints that hold without nails or screws.
What it is
Dylan Iwakuni is a carpenter working in Japan who specialises in traditional Japanese joinery. After school he attended a carpentry trade school in Gifu, then found a master of traditional carpentry in Kyoto and worked with him restoring old buildings. On Instagram he shows how joints that hold without nails, screws or glue actually work.
Why we picked it
Japanese woodworking is one of the most spectacular crafts to watch, and Iwakuni makes it easy to follow. He lays out and cuts intricate joints with hand tools, saws, chisels and planes, then assembles the pieces in a short clip where everything slides together snugly and precisely. The videos are as soothing as any ASMR, which is why they travel far beyond woodworking circles.
The account isn't just about satisfying tricks, though. Many clips come with explanations of how the joint works, what load it carries and where it's used in traditional houses and temples. Iwakuni works on restoring old houses and shrines, so the feed also shows joints in real buildings, not only on the workbench. He teaches too, in Japan and through courses abroad and online.
Where to start
- Short assembly videos, the best way into the subject.
- Posts that explain how a particular joint is built and why it's used.
- Photos of joinery in real houses and temples during restoration.
- Dylan Iwakuni's YouTube channel for longer, more detailed videos.
Who it's for
Woodworkers and carpenters, anyone who dreams of a workshop of their own, fans of Japanese architecture and craft, and anyone who enjoys watching things fit perfectly. A good feed for resting your eyes.
Quick answers
Who is Dylan Iwakuni? A Japan-based carpenter who specialises in traditional Japanese wood joinery and hand tools.
Do the joints really hold without nails? Yes. The parts are cut so their shapes lock each other in place, with no nails, screws or glue.
Where else can I see his work? On his YouTube channel, which has longer and more detailed videos.
