Size: 4.9" x 3.4" x 1.75"

Yosegi, or yosegi-zaiku, is a type of traditional Japanese mosaic woodwork which originated in Japan’s culturally rich Edo Period. Yosegi veneers are commonly found on the outside of Japanese secret boxes (Himitsu-Bako) or puzzle boxes, but may also be used to decorate many other items such as trays, chests, photo frames and jewelry boxes. To learn more you can read full Yosegi article or explore Yosegi Making details below.

»Yosegi Making

1. Each piece of different-colored wood is planed to the proper thickness and fastened with glue to make the Yosegi pattern. 2. The layered wood is then cut into smaller pieces to fit the Yosegi-specific mold. 3. These pieces are tied together and glued into a unit pattern. 4. Then this block is cut into several slices to form a larger pattern. 5. The cut slices are then glued together again. The resulting plate is called Tanegi. 6. This plate is carefully shaved into thin sheets with a special plane. This shaved sheet is called Duku. 7. The shaved sheets are shrunk, ironed and applied to the products. To add glaze and sturdiness to the surface, a finishing coat of lacquer is applied.

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