A few hammers

[AB515]

I bought these in Osaka on the weekend. Prices are in yen.

Not sure if I paid too much.

[NeilS]

Welcome to the forum AB

Those prices look about right for hand forged.

I'm sure you will enjoy using them.

Do you know the maker?

Neil

I bought these in Osaka on the weekend. Prices are in yen.

Not sure if I paid too much.

[AB515]

The stamp is 天龍 on all three. This translates as sky dragon or ten ryu in romaji. The lady at the shop did mention they were hand made and the best ones she had.

I also bought a small adze and a few chisels. I'll check the stamp on those.

[AB515]

The adze is stamped 高木作 - Takagi

[Robson Valley]

If you can find the time, I would like to see the adze, with something included to indicate the size and shape.
I use a large Stubai carver's adze and a Baby Sitka from Kestrel Tool (blade was hafted in my shop.)
Thank you.

PS It is difficult to wipe the drool off my chin, looking at the hammers.

[NeilS]

The adze is stamped 高木作 - Takagi

Takagi is one of the few master smiths still making adze (chouna) in Japan. He works in Niigata where many of the best blade smiths are located. My preference is always for Sanjo-Niigata blades.

Neil

[NeilS]

The stamp is 天龍 on all three. This translates as sky dragon or ten ryu in romaji. The lady at the shop did mention they were hand made and the best ones she had.

I also bought a small adze and a few chisels. I'll check the stamp on those.

More on Makato Aida's tenryu gen-nou here. You will recognise yours.

Neil

[AB515]

Here is the adze next to a 1 litre can of Fujiyama beer and Mt Fuji in the background.

The body of the can is around 15cm High


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Here are the chisels. The stamps are a bit hard to read.

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[JayTas]

I have really have nothing of value to add to this discussion, I just wanted to say WOW those are some mighty fine looking tools. I have a soft spot for the look of those gen-nou, and those nomis look almost too nice to use.....almost.

thanks for posting them, I now need to wipe the drool from my screen.

[Robson Valley]

Thanks, AB.
The adze is so dramatically different from the PacNW style elbow adze.

[Gadge]

Hi Neils,

That Japanese Tool Description website is fantastic. Thanks for posting.

Regards,
Gadge

[NeilS]

A close-up of the stamps on the chisels might help someone to identify the maker. Also, your receipt might help.

The mokume finish is usually reserved for use by the top makers, although the finish doesn't add anything functionally to the chisel. Just an aesthetic thing.

Neil

PS - hammered ferrules is also an indication of a high-end maker.

[AB515]

I sent a photo of the stamp on one of the chisels to a Japanese carpenter I met on my trip. He said they are Fuji Hiro chisels and the type of chisel is Sumi Nagashi.

The carpenter was at a woodworking class I stumbled across on Omi Maiko Beach at Lake Biwa. It was run by the Japan Green Woodwork Association and was teaching beginners to make a foot stool in the style of the ones you can see in some Van Gogh paintings. It looks like it would be a relaxing way to spend an afternoon or two.

The website for Japan Green Woodwork Association is here:

NPO

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[Christos]

Very interesting too see a different perspective of hobby wood working.

[AB515]

Here are a few photos of Tenbin Yagura at Hikone Castle showing some adze work.

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Interesting roof structure.

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Some adze marks.

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I think this one is probably where the original timber has been replaced in modern times. It looks like they have used an adze on a piece of already milled timber to give the appearance it was shaped by an adze.

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They were filming a TV show while I was there. This guy is the presenter.

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