Watch how to build a Japanese-style free-standing bookshelf with no nails or glue

Japanese joinery indeed uses some awesomely complicated joints, but there is nothing in these shelves that hasn’t been used in European joinery for centuries. Pinned mortise-and-tenon, through tenons with wedges, etc. probably go back to ancient Egypt. Check out a medieval trestle table, for example.

The overall style of the shelves may be Japanese-influenced, but it doesn’t shout Japan to me.

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