Kumiko and sashimono are both traditional Japanese woodworking techniques. Kumiko refers to delicate, intricate geometric patterns created by assembling small wooden pieces without nails or glue, and is primarily used in shoji screens and latticework. Sashimono, on the other hand, is used to make furniture and other items using wood joints rather than nails. Both techniques require a very high level of craftsmanship.
In the screen shown here, the artisan created detailed geometric patterns with Jindai-sugi cedar using Kumiko techniques as well as his own unique "Ajiro-gumi" technique. The finishing touch is a lacquer-like coating of Shofu-nori (wheat gluten paste) applied more than 20 times, then polished.