Japanese Woodworking Tools and The History Behind Them

Horyu-ji, the oldest wooden structure in the world, is said to have been built in Japan around 1,300 years ago. It is still common to find wooden structures like Horyu-ji across the country that had been built in the distant past. Many people find it hard to understand how so much wood-based architecture has survived to the present day in a country like Japan, which faces a great variety of unending natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes.

The Construction Technology that Buddhism Brought

When Buddhism came to Japan from abroad in the 6th century, it brought along with it many new architectural techniques. People who came from the continent with these new construction techniques worked on huge buildings such as Shitennoji, Japan’s oldest official temple, with preexisting Japanese architectural culture having a great influence as well.

Woodworking Techniques That Are Still Used Today!

Japanese buildings have been constructed with a method known as “Kigumi” since ancient times. With the Kigumi method, the building structure is crafted by joining wooden pieces together without the use of nails or reinforcing hardware. Japanese woodworking tools play an important role in this technique of combining such fine wood. The carpentry tools featured in this article include many of these traditional woodworking tools, along with some other interesting related goods! Many Japanese families also have these tools in their homes.

4 Japanese Carpentry Tools

This section features four common carpentry tools, with images and explanations of their typical usage in Japanese construction.

Sumigake Ink Pot Tool

Sumigake is the Japanese method of using lines to indicate spots for later construction. There are several types of tools for sumigake, such as ink pots, ink sticks, and rulers.

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Japanese Nokogiri Saw

In Japan, the nokogiri is well known as a tool used to cut wood. There are many types of saws all over the world, but the characteristic of this Japanese saw that makes it stand out from other countries is how you put energy into it to cut. In other countries, saws cut with the ‘pushing force’, but with this saw the ‘pulling force’ is what causes the cut.

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Chisel

A tool used to make holes and dig trenches in wood and stone. You can hit the handle with a mallet or push it with your hand.

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Kanna

A tool for woodworking made by crafting a V-shaped hole and groove into a rectangular piece of hard wood (such as oak), and fitting a blade in the groove. It is used to smooth out wooden surfaces. This tool is called a plane in Europe and America, and was called a bàozi in ancient China.

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3 Mini Carpentry-Related Goods

Here are a few smaller-size products that copy the look of typical carpentry tools.

Kanna-Shaped Pencil Sharpener

A small plane-shaped pencil sharpener that fits easily in your pocket. Has a fashionable and beautiful design that that brings the traditional plane into a modern age!

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‘Little Craftsman’ Toy Carpentry Tool Set

A 100% wooden toy carpenter set that does not contain any nails, etc. Well-suited for fostering creativity and concentration in young children. A great present for any kid!

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Todoraku Mini Carpentry Set

A set of small-size carpenter tools. Recommended for those who like to take their tools on the go! There is a great variety of featured Todoraku tools. Click the button below to check them out!

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If you still need to find that last piece of hardware to start work on your pet carpentry project, have no fear! You can find even more great tools and materials through the link below!

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