also: じごくホゾ
noun
foxtail wedged tenon joint; blind tenon with wedges
A traditional Japanese woodworking joint where a tenon is inserted into a mortise and then wedges are driven into slots at the tenon's end, locking it tightly. The name 地獄 (hell) suggests the joint is nearly impossible to disassemble.
この建具には地獄ほぞが使われていて、外れにくくなっている。
This fitting uses a foxtail wedged tenon joint, making it hard to come apart.
地獄ほぞは、楔を打ち込むことで強固に固定される継手だ。
The foxtail wedged tenon is a joint that is firmly fixed by driving in wedges.
継手 is a general term for 'joint' in woodworking; 地獄ほぞ is one specialized type.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; the most readable form for learners.
Katakana ホゾ emphasizes the technical term; used in some architectural contexts.
Full kanji spelling using 枘 (tenon); rare and may not be widely recognized.
Compound of 地獄 (hell) and ほぞ (tenon). The name likely comes from the joint's extreme tightness, making it 'hellish' to separate once assembled.