Across the world, artisans are telling their stories through wood carving, using historic techniques and tools to produce fascinating wooden pieces, from Japan’s shoji screens to Norway’s Dala horse. Let’s explore some of the world’s coolest woodworking traditions.

Japan: Kumiko and Tsugite

Kumiko is a traditional Japanese woodworking technique that involves assembling tiny wooden pieces into intricate geometric patterns without the use of nails or glue. The wooden pieces are shaped with millimetre-perfect precision using a kanna (wood plane), nokogiri (saw) and other hand tools. The Kumiko technique has been practised for centuries in Japan and remains a feature in Japanese-style houses.

Kumiko panels are often featured in shoji (sliding doors or windows). Two of the most distinct Kumiko patterns are Hishi Kumiko (diamond) and Koshi Kumiko (square lattice).

Complementing Kumioko on a larger scale is Tsugite, the Japanese art of joinery. Tsugite utilises interlocking joints, such as dovetails or scarf joints, to connect wooden pieces without the use of metal fasteners. These joints are used in furniture and buildings, enabling them to stand for centuries without collapsing. Both Tsugite and Kumiko are practices of discipline and harmony.

Scandinavia: Kuksa and Dala horse

In Scandinavian countries, artisans whittle softwoods, such as birch or alder, with small knives to shape traditional wooden items. Such items include the kuksa, a traditional drinking cup used by the Sámi, the indigenous people of Lapland. Kuksas are a unique way to enjoy beverages outdoors, symbolising a connection to nature and community. Another cultural wooden piece is the Dala horse, a brightly painted horse statue that originated as a children’s toy and has since become a national symbol.

West Africa:

In many West African countries, woodcarving is a ritual passed down through generations. Artisans carve ritual masks, fertility figures and storytelling statues from hardwoods like iroko, ebony and mahogany to serve ceremonial or ancestral purposes. Finishing involves burnishing with stones, staining with natural dyes, and sometimes coating with oils or clay to protect the wood.

Germany: The Nutcracker

Traditional nutcracker dolls originated in Germany’s Erzgebirge region. They are figurines carved from blocks of linden, spruce, or beech in the shape of soldiers or kings. The head, body, arms and jaw are individually shaped using chisels, knives, and lathes, and assembled and hand-painted in bold festive colours. These figurines are now cherished decorations and good luck symbols gifted at Christmas time, showcasing the region’s woodcraft heritage.

Wales: Lovespoon

Welsh Lovespoons date back to the 17^th century in Wales. Each spoon is carved from native hardwoods, such as oak, sycamore, or beech, using traditional hand tools to carve representative symbols and shapes into the wood: hearts for love, chains for togetherness and wheels for support. Lovespoons are often gifted for celebratory events, intended to last a lifetime.

Angel Woodcraft are proud to be part of the rich global heritage of woodcarving. We celebrate the timeless beauty of hand-carved Welsh Lovespoons, with each spoon carrying centuries of tradition and symbolism. For more information about Angel Woodcraft lovespoons, visit our website or contact our customer care team. contact@angelwoodcraft.co.uk or phone 01443 480138.