I use basswood to make my kumiko panels, and buy large, roughsawn boards, milling them down to the size I need for a panel. That's a lot work (and expense) if you only want to make one or two panels to see if you like making kumiko. I now offer milled basswood blanks that can be used to make kumiko panels. Each blank is 3/8" thick by 5" wide by 15" long. You can take it straight to your tablesaw, cut notches for the frame, and the rip out the strips. If you use a thin-kerf blade to rip the strips, each blank yields 20 (or more) strips.