How to carve patterns Part4 ~Seigaiha and Shippo-Tsunagi ~

2017年9月9日how to carve

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to carve two elegant and flowing patterns:

• Seigaiha (Blue Ocean Waves)

• Shippo-Tsunagi (Seven Treasures / Interlinked Circles)

Unlike previous patterns where we mostly used triangular, flat, and sharp chisels, this time we’ll make good use of a shallow round chisel, which is ideal for smooth curves.

 

Preparation

Use carbon paper to trace the Seigaiha and Shippo-Tsunagi designs onto a postcard-sized wooden board.
You can download the sketches from here: [PDF of Seigaiha and Shippo Tsunagi].

1. How to Carve Seigaiha (Blue Ocean Waves)

Step 1

Use a triangular chisel to carve the areas above the black lines in the sketch.

Step 2

Next, use a sharp chisel to make incisions at both ends of the lines.
Carve a little deeper toward the tips.

Step 3

Use a flat chisel to carve a slope that intersects with the points where you made the incisions.

Once you’ve carved the slopes, the surface should start to show subtle height differences between wave segments.

 

Step 4

Some lines may have become faint, so re-carve the outlines with the triangular chisel.

Step 5

Use a shallow round chisel to carve the curves of the waves.
Work slowly and carefully, ensuring the waves are smooth and not uneven.

 

Final Touch

Use a combination of tools—flat chisel, sharp chisel, shallow round chisel, and triangular chisel—to clean up the carving.
Remove any rough edges or uncut areas for a polished finish.

2．How to Carve Shippo-Tsunagi (Seven Treasures Pattern)

Step 1

Start by using a triangular chisel to carve lines that connect the intersection points of the overlapping circles.

Step 2

Use a shallow round chisel to carve elongated semi-circular shapes, starting from the line-carved areas.

Adjust the horizontal angle of the chisel to change the thickness of the lines:

• To carve thin lines, hold the chisel more upright (obtuse horizontal angle).

• To carve thick lines, hold it flatter (sharper horizontal angle).

 

Step 3

As with Seigaiha, ensure that the curved surfaces are even and smooth when you're done.

How to carve patterns

1. From the lattice to the scales
2. Raimon
3. Asanoha and Sayagata
4. Seigaiha and Sippo-Tsunagi   ←Current page displayed
5. Higaki and Kumikikko
6. Mimasu-Tsunagi and Mimasu-Chirashi
7. Ryusui
8. Bundo-Tsunagi and Tatewaku
9. Yamajimon and Misujidate
10. Kemanmon and Gobosei
11. Chidori and Chidori-Goshi
12. Nejiume (Twisted plum) 
13. Kikubishi and Yaegiku
14. Ichimatsu and Sankuzushi
15. Kikko and Yagasuri
16. Clouds
17. Waves

• [Supplementary lecture] Controlling lines with a single sharp chisel