Japan does not use modern nails to repair centuries-old temples. Instead, master craftsmen rely on an ancient woodworking technique

Centuries-old Japanese temples are repaired using an ancient woodworking technique called kigumi, which avoids modern nails, screws, or metal brackets.

The kigumi method involves precisely carved wooden joints that fit together like puzzle pieces, allowing structures to be assembled without fasteners.

Master carpenters, known as miyadaiku, pass down this traditional skill that has been used for over 1,000 years to restore Japan's oldest temples and shrines.

This technique helps structures withstand earthquakes and humid weather because wooden joints flex during seismic activity and prevent rust.

The flexibility of kigumi joints absorbs and spreads vibrations, reducing the risk of serious damage to historic wooden temples during earthquakes.