# Kawai tsugite (four-way dovetail joint)

> How does the Kawai tsugite joint go together?

- Category: Joinery › Japanese joinery
- Kind: Hardware
- Basis: Xem Studio design — geometry computed in the generator from traditional proportions
- Page: https://xemstudio.com/objects/kawai-tsugite-joint/ · JSON: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=kawai-tsugite-joint · Plain text: https://xemstudio.com/objects/kawai-tsugite-joint/sheet.txt
- License: dimension sheet CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio); files Xem Studio Design License (free to use and sell from, not to redistribute as files: https://xemstudio.com/license/)
- Use in every chat: add https://xemstudio.com/mcp as a connector (https://xemstudio.com/use-with-ai/)

## Overall (mm)

| length | width | height |
|---|---|---|
| 20.0 | 20.0 | 120.0 |

**Exact dimensions.** True size, with no printing tolerance added.

## Notes

- Woodworking joint drawn for 3D printing: the parts lock together by shape, so a print can be joined without glue or screws. Drawn at true size with the parts line to line (zero gap) in their assembled position — add your printer's fit allowance to the mating faces (your AI or slicer can do this).
- The joint that looks impossible: a dovetail shows on all four faces. Both pieces are straight prisms along the diagonal of the square section, so they slide together diagonally — the trick that makes it work.
- Kiyoshi Kawai's joint, made famous as the "impossible dovetail". Prints well: the faces are straight along the slide direction.

## Sizes

| dimension | value |
|---|---|
| stock | 20 × 20 mm square |
| parts | part a, part b |
| dovetails | 6 → 10 mm in the diagonal section, 12 mm long (appear √2 wider on the faces) |
| assembles | the two pieces slide together along the diagonal of the square section |
| holds | pulling apart lengthwise and bending in every direction |

## Where the files are

- Xem Studio: [Joinery design (geometry computed in the generator from traditional proportions)](https://xemstudio.com/) — web — Xem Studio design

## Free STEP/STL (3 parts, Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio)

Index: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/index.json · license: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/LICENSE.md

- kawai-tsugite-joint-part-a: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/kawai-tsugite-joint-part-a.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/kawai-tsugite-joint-part-a.stl) — Piece A: dovetails on two faces, sockets on the other two
- kawai-tsugite-joint-part-b: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/kawai-tsugite-joint-part-b.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/kawai-tsugite-joint-part-b.stl) — Piece B: the mirror
- kawai-tsugite-joint-assembled: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/kawai-tsugite-joint-assembled.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/kawai-tsugite-joint/kawai-tsugite-joint-assembled.stl) — All parts in their assembled position (each part its own solid)

## Questions

**How does the Kawai tsugite assemble?**

Diagonally: both pieces slide together along the diagonal of the square section.

**Can it be 3D printed?**

Yes — both pieces print standing on their ends; add your fit allowance to the dovetail faces.

## Fits with

- [Ari tsugi (Japanese dovetail splice)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/ari-tsugi-dovetail-splice/)
- [Through dovetail joint](https://xemstudio.com/objects/through-dovetail-joint/)
- [Kama tsugi (Japanese gooseneck splice)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/kama-tsugi-gooseneck-splice/)