How to carve patterns Part 13 ~Kikubishi and Yaegiku~

2022年2月12日how to carve

In this lesson, we’ll learn how to carve two chrysanthemum-inspired patterns:

Kikubishi — a diamond-shaped chrysanthemum design.
Yaegiku — a full, double-layered chrysanthemum with many overlapping petals.

Tools Used

For this project, you’ll need:

A 9mm sharp chisel
A 6mm shallow round chisel
A 3mm shallow round chisel

Preparation

Use carbon paper to trace the Kikubishi and Yaegiku designs onto a postcard-sized wooden board.
You can download the sketches here: [Kikubishi and Yaegiku PDF]

How to carve Kikubishi

Step 1: Red Line Cut

Begin by making a clean cut along the red line in the image below using the sharp chisel.

Step 2: Blue Slope

Using the red cut as a guide, carve a slope along the blue line with the sharp chisel, allowing it to intersect smoothly with the initial cut.

Step 3: Green Line Cut

Cut along the green line in the image below using the sharp chisel.
Make the cut gradually deeper in the direction of the arrow.

Step 4: Orange Petal Depth

Using the 6mm shallow round chisel, carve out the orange area so that it becomes deeper toward the center—the darker the color, the deeper the carving.

Step 5: Recut Faded Lines

If any of your previous cuts have become faint or disappeared during carving, go over them again at a consistent depth to restore definition.

Step 6: Blue Petal Corners

In the image below, round off or “roll up” the blue areas (the petal corners) so that they flow gently into the slope.
Repeat this process for each petal.

How to carve Yaegiku

Step 1: Red Line and Blue Corner

Carve along the red line with the sharp chisel, then round off the blue corner so that it intersects naturally with the red line—just as in Kikubishi.

Step 2: Green Line Cut

Using the sharp chisel, carve along the green line, making the cut gradually deeper toward the arrow (same technique as Kikubishi).

Step 3: Orange Depth

With the 6mm shallow round chisel, carve the orange area deeper toward the center, based on the intensity of the color—just like with Kikubishi.

Step 4: Deeper Red and Green Cuts

Make a new cut along the red line at a consistent depth. Then carve the green line so that it gradually deepens in the direction of the arrow.

Step 5: Blue Petal Corners

Round off or roll up the blue petal corners as shown.
Apply this technique to all petals of similar shape.

Step 6: Additional Depth and Plate Shape

Carve along the green line below, making it deeper toward the arrow.
Shape the orange area into a shallow dish-like form using the 6mm shallow round chisel, with more depth in the darker central region.

Step 7: Inner Petal Detail

Use the 3mm shallow round chisel to carve the green areas deeper in the center, where the color is darkest.

Step 8: Outer Petals

For the red line, make a cut at a consistent depth.
Then use the sharp chisel to shape a slope on the blue petal corner, intersecting smoothly with the red line.

Repeat this process for all remaining outer petals.

How to carve patterns

[Supplementary lecture] Controlling lines with a single sharp chisel

how to carve