Human beings are pretty awesome, when you think about it. In the grand scheme of things, we’ve only been on the planet for a short amount of time but within that span we’ve been able to accomplish some amazing things. While we can marvel at modern creations and structures, there’s an extra bit of awe involved when something that was developed ages ago still works just fine. This video of a traditional Japanese building being erected is one of those things.
The video, which we admit is a few years old, was recently shared on the ArtisanVideos thread on Reddit and we cannot help but be enamored with the expert craftsmanship involved. The original YouTube video belongs to a Japanese construction company that, if Google Translate can be trusted, specializes in the traditional form of Japanese carpentry known as Miyadaiku. This form of carpentry utilizes elaborate wooden joints and wooden pegs to secure everything together. What’s interesting about this form of construction is that it’s incredibly long-lasting. Utilizing wood that matches the climate where the buildings are made ensures that it can stand the test of time there (since it’s already surviving there in tree form) and the use of wooden pegs to keep everything together harnesses wood’s forgivable and pliable nature. A nail is basically a simple wedge stuck in between the cellulose fibers of a piece of wood which are springy enough to push back on the nail thus keeping it stuck where you hammered it in. When a more forgiving and pliable wooden peg or wedge is used, that push-back goes both ways and isn’t as unrelenting on the structure.
But really, let’s address the elephant in the room. THOSE GUYS LOOK LIKE JUMPMAN FROM DONKEY KONG! The hammers are all too appropriately shaped and it’s a bit too on the nose for them to be walking along construction lattices.
What do you think of this time-tested method of building? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Image credit: Youtube/daigorokensetu
