Kumiko is an ancient Japanese art form used to create beautiful and functional handmade panels that can be assembled to make lamps, shoji screens, wall or window hangings and many other things. Each of the tiny wooden pieces are hand cut and grooved and then assembled into the amazing geometric patterns you see some examples of on this page.

This is the biggest piece I’ve made so far. It contains 1,126 tiny hand cut pieces, all assembled without nails. I am finishing it with a Myrtle wood frame and it will be backed with handmade Japanese mulberry paper.

Here are some examples of my Kumiko lamps and window art.

Kiri Pattern made with Port Orford Cedar and walnut, lined with handmade Unryu paper from Thailand

Butterfly pattern, made with Purple Heart and Port Orford Cedar, lined with handmade Unryu paper from Thailand

Kickoff (turtle shell) pattern, made from red and Port Orford Cedar, lined with handmade Unryu pale yellow paper from Thailand

My own Art Deco design, made with Port Orford Cedar and walnut with handmade orange Unryu paper from Thailand

Twinkly light tower, made from Port Orford Cedar and walnut lined with handmade orange Unryu paper from Thailand

Lamp tower that’s also a table! The table top is spalted maple and the tower is made from Port Orford Cedar and walnut lined with handmade cream colored Unryu paper from Thailand

Tower lamp, made from PO Cedar and Walnut lighted with pale lavender handmade Unryu paper from Thailand