aritsugi 蟻継

A dovetail joint used to attach the ends of two boards. The tenon *hozo ほぞ or male part is a splayed projection inserted into a mortise *hozoana ほぞ穴 or female cavity, of the same shape and depth. Although the two parts are easily interlocked, the joint is relatively weak and best used where stress is not a factor. It is most useful in furniture-making and door framing. If the joint is to be used on heavy timbers, it must be combined with other joints, for example; a dovetail lap joint *koshikake aritsugi 腰掛蟻継.