Japanese Splice Joint (Tsugite)

Japanese Splice Joint (Tsugite)

A splice joint is a method of joining two pieces of wood end to end, it is used when material cannot be found in the length required. Splice joints are generally stronger than butt and scarf joints, which can also be used to achieve the same result, however they generally require more skill to achieve.

In Japan, the splice joint, or Tsugite, was traditionally used in the construction of temples and large structures for building the beams and supporting framework, when such large lengths of wood could not be found.

Tsugite were eventually developed to be extremely precise and complex in order to withstand the various forms of stress and tension put on them from the violent environmental conditions of Japan, and many of these joints are still standing after hundreds of years.

Kanawa Tsugite

Koshikake Kamatsugi

Kawai Tsugi