Keywords
Architecture
Joints
A dovetail splicing joint *aritsugi 蟻継, made in such way that the dovetails are visible on all four sides of the joint. This is achieved by cutting the protruding and indented e sections from opposite corners, rather than on the face of the timber. The parts are cut diagonally and then slipped into each other. The same result can be achieved using a gooseneck splicing joint *kamatsugi 鎌継, and is called shihō kama 四方鎌, or in the case of a simple 4-sided tenon butt joint, shihō hozotsugi 四方ほぞ継. These joints are used for example, at the base of belfry posts *shōrō 鐘楼, and in open sided shelters *chōzuya 手水舎 at shrines *jinja 神社.
