Which wood is best for Kumiko?

The most popular kumiko wood outside of Japan is Basswood. This wood is easy to process and has a uniform color, so it is great for both beginners and professional carpenters. This wood can be worked with by any means, from a simple chisel to professional ha-ganna planers.

Cedar pine has similar properties, but it has a more pronounced pattern and changes its color from light yellow to orange over time. Also, this wood has fantastic aromas.

Walnut or thermo wood is great for creating contrast, but keep in mind that walnut is a harder wood and thermo is more fragile in processing.

Also quite popular combination with basswood is oak.

As a red color, padouk, merbau, gabon and other types of mahogany are used, which are also hardwoods.

Amaranth has a fantastic color, but at the same time it is a very hard wood and is usually available for processing with an end planer or grinder.

Absolutely any type of wood that you like for your project will be suitable for making Kumiko.
The end planer does an excellent job with the processing of hardwoods, and for soft and brittle wood, use a better sharpening of the chisel.

Some of the traditional kumiko wood used in Japan:

• Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) - Hinoki is a popular choice for Kumiko due to its fine, straight grain and natural oils that make it resistant to moisture, insects, and decay. It's lightweight and easy to work with, making it ideal for intricate patterns.

• Shina (Japanese Linden) - Shina is another excellent choice for Kumiko because of its softness and fine, even grain. It's easy to cut and shape, making it suitable for delicate patterns.

• Sugi (Japanese Cedar) - Sugi is a lightweight, straight-grained wood that's often used in traditional Japanese architecture. It's relatively easy to work with and can be used for Kumiko projects as well.

• Katsura (Japanese Judas Tree) - Katsura has a fine, uniform grain, and it's relatively lightweight, making it another suitable option for Kumiko.

• Paulownia (Empress Tree) - Paulownia is a lightweight, soft, and easy-to-work-with wood. Its fine grain and good stability make it a decent choice for Kumiko.

Ultimately, the best wood for Kumiko depends on the specific project and personal preferences. It's essential to choose a wood with a fine, straight grain that's easy to work with, and that can withstand the delicate process of creating Kumiko patterns.