Architectural Marking Tools in the 17th – 19th century —Sixth Report Research on Old Tools and Other Reference Materials—

Watanabe Akira

doi:10.50862/dougukan.8.0_1

According to a study conducted by the Institute for the Science of Labor in 1943，a professional carpenter uses 179 different tools on average. Among them are 7 types of marking tools belonging to 4 separate categories. This constitutes the standard set of marking tools used in modern carpentry. What types of marking tools were used from the 17th to 19th centuries? My research into various reference materials concerning architectural marking tools has yielded the following findings. (1) At least 12 accounts of architectural marking tools describing a total of eight different tools were found in Japanese literature and old tools from the 17th to 19th centuries. (2) These major marking tools were called “sumi-tsubo” (ink pot and snap line)， “sumi–sashi” (inking pen)，“magarikane” or “sashigane” (square)， and “kehiki” (gauge). (3) The author believes that there were changes in the shape of “sumi–tsubo” between the 17th to 19th centuries. (4) According to descriptions written during this era， the materials used for sumi–tsubo were “miulberry” and “zelkova，” for sumi–sashi， “bamboo;” and sashigane， “steels. ” (5) Four accounts found in literature suggest that sashigane had three different sizes : “big，medium，and small.” (6) Working posture was either a squatting or sitting position， depending on the type of marking. (7) As useful historical background， description was also found that indicated that “sumi–nawa” (snap line separated from ink pot) was fomerly used for marking.

Architectural Marking Tools in the 17th – 19th century —Sixth Report Research on Old Tools and Other Reference Materials—

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