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The Hinoki File

Woods, joints and old houses, kept on file

Old Houses

Kominka, beams and the houses that keep them

3 boards · checked 17/09/2026

All entries

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The interior of a kominka farmhouse with dark massive beams and a central pillar, a sunken hearth square in the floor, smoke-darkened rafters above.

HS-001Old Houses

The anatomy of a kominka

Explains the main members and layout of a kominka and what to look at first.

Checked
A polished dark wood engawa veranda running along the side of an old house, sliding panels open to a moss garden, late afternoon light.

HS-002Old Houses

The engawa edge

Explains what an engawa is and what it does for the house it borders.

Checked
A stack of dark reclaimed beams in a salvage yard, end grain visible, old mortise pockets and peg holes showing, a hand checking one end.

HS-003Old Houses

Reading a reclaimed beam

Explains how to assess a reclaimed timber beam before buying it.

Checked