The through tenon is installed in the receiving post and secured with a wedge made of mahogany wood that was hand sawn and hand planed.

Japanese hand saws are pulled instead of pushed, which allows the saw blade to be thinner. This means that less wood is removed during the cut, resulting in a faster and a more accurate cut.

Generally through tenons are pegged with two wedges. However, the owner of this entranceway preferred the look of one wedge, and the strength of the joint was not comprised by this decision.

Tim took this photo during a Japanese timber framing course taught by Dale Brotherton and Robert Laporte. For more information, visit their websites at www.japanesecarpentry.com and www.econest.com