Wood Inlay
Moku-zogan is a technique which involves hand-cutting wood into pieces of varied, decorative shapes and inlaying them into carved grooves or holes on a wooden body. In addition to inlaying different types of wood into wood, precious natural materials such as shells, stones, ivory and metals can be inlaid too.
With different grains, textures and colours of wood, crafts men and women select the right balance to bring to life motifs such as flowers, landscapes, trees and animals. Rich, dark walnut is often used as the canvas piece to which lighter woods are inlaid for contrasting effect, such as Japanese lime and yellow pine.
Japan Woodcraft Association 