Art of Japanese Kumiko Course

Learn the art of Japanese Kumiko (Asa no ha pattern)



2 x 8 hours Class size 1 to 8 guests       $920
Melbourne Activities
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Craft
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Woodworking
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Homewares Experience Gifts
Developed and taught by Kumiko expert Des King until 2020, the Kumiko woodworking course with the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking is an exciting opportunity for you to learn all about this unique Japanese technique.
The class is now taught by Alastair Boell, who will show you how to make one beautiful Kumiko piece. This piece will consist of two square asa-no-ha (hemp leaf) patterns enclosed by a twin Kumiko and a Tsukeko frame.
Over two workshops, you will learn:
  • The correct names for the different parts of Shoji and Kumiko work.
  • Details and principles of Kumiko marking.
  • How to cut consistent gap-free Kumiko joints with a hand saw.
  • How to mark, cut and attach the Tsukeko to the project piece.
You will also learn how to trim the smaller Kumiko pattern pieces to size at the correct angles and how to gauge the correct tension for the pattern pieces.

Upcoming dates for Art of Japanese Kumiko Course

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 9 Oct 2026, 8:16am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

1 upcoming date between 5 Dec 2026 and 5 Dec 2026.

  • Sat 5 Dec 2026, 9am-5pm then Sun 6 Dec, 9am-5pm
What you'll get
  • One unique Kumiko piece.
  • The knowledge and skills students gain from making this piece will enable them to incorporate and adapt Kumiko art into their own furniture or art designs, and will form a solid foundation for more difficult and complex patterns at a later stage.
Knowledge required
Beginners welcome.
What to bring
Sketchpad and pencils to take down notes
All materials are included
Session repeats

This class series runs over 2 consecutive days.

Location

Melbourne Guild Of Fine Woodworking, 14 Cottage St, Blackburn VIC

Art of Japanese Kumiko Course location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of Art of Japanese Kumiko Course

  • 4/5 from Brian Pittard, attended May 2025: The teacher was great; why - good management of class (people and dog) and our progress; also “no fuss” positive support for everyone- as we messed up - to get back on track. Good class group - some conversation as we “ worked”, but not too much (not distracting). The encouragement of cross team support / assistance everyone (fast ones assisted slower people) - was a big positive - it built a great team approach. Thanks for the cake and biscuits. Brian.
  • 5/5 from Alex Yusupov, attended Nov 2024: Amazing weekend learning how to make Kumiko. For someone who has not done Japanese woodworking before I found the course to be well resourced with a great mentor Alistair, and all tools working exceptionally well. Highly recommend as a gift or a time for one to delve into their creative side.
Your teacher

Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking
Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking

4.9 (8)
Instagram followers 57k followers

The Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking (The Guild) was founded by Alastair Boell in 2007. After graduating from the world-renowned North Bennet Street School, Boston, USA, Alastair felt that there was a great need in Australia for an educational facility that focuses on traditional skills.
The Guild is conveniently located in Blackburn and provides three different course formats:
  • Our open courses offer ongoing morning, afternoon and evening woodworking classes for students of any level to undertake a project of their own desire.
  • Our weekly project-based courses are geared towards beginners or anyone interested in a more structured class where everyone works on the same project once a week and where the start and finish dates are set.
  • Our intensive project-based courses are for those who would like to immerse themselves in a project and have it completed in the shortest possible time. These courses range from a one-day course to an eight-day course.
Our student-teacher ratios are very low which enables each student to get some one-on-one instruction time from our highly qualified instructors.
Our facilities include a fully equipped machine room, four classrooms with workbenches, numerous hand tools, hardware, finishing products and a variety of exotic salvaged timbers. We also offer onsite milling with our own mill and an in-house workshop milling service. For those interested in ‘Commission’ work, we have a gifted community of furniture designers/makers on the call.
The Guild is committed to preserving and advancing craft traditions in furniture making. We are also committed to promoting greater awareness and appreciation of craftsmanship. In our classes, we emphasise the skilful use of hand tools and power equipment and informed use of appropriate materials and proportions.
We are passionate about what we do and want to share information, ideas and skills with our extended woodworking community.
We promise to do our very best to provide you with endless opportunities in a stimulating and supportive community. We invite you to take your place at the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking!
Melbourne Activities
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Craft
•
Woodworking
•
Homewares Experience Gifts

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