Repurpose Old Furniture Into a Sushi Geta!

Some people have broken furniture in their homes, whether it's an old chair, a disassembled cabinet, or a busted shelf. This doesn't mean they belong in the trash. With a simple DIY project, you can recycle wood from old furniture into a beautiful and functional sushi geta. The sushi geta, a traditional Japanese serving tray, has a history dating back to the Edo period, evolving from wooden footwear to a platform specifically designed for presenting sushi, reflecting the fusion of culinary artistry and craftsmanship. While this may seem complicated, this tutorial shows you how to build one in a few simple steps.

Needed Materials

• Furniture/used wooden objects that can be cut into a piece of wood that's 8"x4"x.5"
• .75" long nails or wood glue
• Linseed Oil/food-safe wood finish

Needed Tools

• Saw
• Safety Glasses
• Measuring tape
• Sander/sandpaper
• Pencil (for marking)
• Brush
• Towel

For all projects, including this one, CAD is a great tool to use. This is for a multitude of reasons: you can have a reference image, you can get a visualization of your project, and you can make a blueprint to use when constructing the real version of your project, as seen in the images (note: dimensions are not to scale in blueprint image). For the sushi geta, I used Fusion 360 to create a 3D model for reference. In doing so, I was able to create a blueprint for me to follow with the drawing system and was able to go through different wood types to see which one was the best.

For this step, salvage a flat piece of wood for example, from broken furniture such as a cupboard door, a chair, or a shelf. Here I used a broken fence post, but what you use really doesn't matter as long as you can get the right dimensions. Also note that the piece of wood should not be porous if you want to use the sushi geta, as bacteria can readily develop in porous surfaces. After finding the furniture you want to repurpose, salvage some of the wood so that you have an 8"x4" piece, preferably with a thickness of 0.5". When cutting with either a hand or an electric saw, use proper safety goggles to avoid injury. It's also recommended to either cut the wood outside or wear a mask to avoid breathing in sawdust. These dimensions are only recommended for the sushi geta, but you can customize the dimensions as you like.

Next, using the saw cut an inch off of one of the sides, width-wise. If you are not following the recommended dimensions, make sure you cut off pieces that ensure that the feet are square. Next, cut the piece in half length-wise to create the feet for the board. Then, sand the feet so they are smooth. Be careful to keep the original shape by not sanding it down too much.

Start by sanding the main board. Sand the top and bottom until they are smooth. When using sandpaper, start with a lower grit and progress to a higher one to get a smooth surface. It's essential to remove any possibility of wood splintering off, as this can be hazardous when using the geta. To make sure it is smooth enough, run your finger across the wood when you are done to ensure there are no dips or rough spots. Repeat this process with the feet.

To attach the legs, use nails at the bottom of each foot 1 inch away from the edges of the board. It is important to make sure that the nails will go through the feet without cracking them while also going into the main board deep enough to attach the feet. For this step, I placed the feet 1.5 inches and 5 inches from the left side of the board. You can also use screws for this step to ensure that the feet will stay attached. Alternatively, you can use water-resistant wood glue to attach the feet. Apply glue on the side that will be touching the main board and press each foot down firmly, leaving no gaps between the feet and the board. Then, use clamps to secure them in place, wipe down any residual glue, and wait at least 12-24 hours before proceeding.

Finally, use a towel or brush to remove excess sawdust from the unfinished geta board. Then use a clean cloth or brush to apply linseed oil or other food-safe finishes onto the sushi geta. Make sure to follow the instructions on the back of the container you get your finish in to make sure it dries properly. Make sure you coat the entire board multiple times to ensure a sealed surface. Allow the board to dry completely. You are now ready to use the board!