Bulletin of Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
Online ISSN : 2436-1453
Print ISSN : 0915-3683
Volume 25
Displaying 1-3 of 3 articles from this issue
  • Record of Chisel-Bl acksmi th “Funahiro”, Yuj i Funatsu
    Shuichi Ishikoso
    2014Volume 25 Pages 3-68
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: March 20, 2021
    RESEARCH REPORT / TECHNICAL REPORT OPEN ACCESS
    This report records a craftman’s technique of Mr. Yuji Funatsu, chisel blacksmith in Echigo-Yoita, Nigata prefecture, who is highly trusted by many excellent carpenters. His technique is based on not only traditional skills and methods in Yoita but also scientific research. In this paper, the reporter, also a blacksmith, tries to record Funatsu’s normal work process over the course of the 12 days in detail as if an apprentice tries to learn his master’s techniques. The result is following: 1  As a raw material, high-carbon steel of Yasuki Specialty Steel, White No.1 is used. In the process of fire polishing, forging and forge welding is carried out with a coke furnace and then forging is repeated 4 times with an electric furnace, which can adjust temperature gradually. Through this process, metallographic structure is refined. 2  Modern machines such as grinders and paper files are used efficiently for metal forming. On the other hands, finishing process is done by traditional tools in a cross-legged position. 3  Hardening with pine charcoal is performed in the darkened room after sunset. Therefore, the quality of all the products including butt chisels is excellent with uniform heating and size. For tempering, oil heated by electricity is used. 4  The total number of the finished products during the 3 weeks of research is 52, which includes 43 butt chisels, 5 striking chisels, 1 small plane and 3 common planes. 5  Funatsu can take advantage of a variety of steel because of the scientific data accumulated by Mr. Kengo Usui, the master of Funatsu, and the experience of his own experiments. In spite of his age, 65 years old, his spirit of inquiry shows no sign of losing. Through continuous technical exchange with a master carpenters, he aims at a further progress as a blacksmith.
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  • Goeun Choi
    2014Volume 25 Pages 71-93
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: March 20, 2021
    RESEARCH REPORT / TECHNICAL REPORT OPEN ACCESS
    This report classifies the essential materials and literatures relating to the research of Korean carpentry tools found within the country today, which findings are summarized in the following points. 1  Since the originat ion of materi a l s i .e. , actual art ifact s , document s and paintings, that are used as sources of research are concentrated in the later Joseon Era (17th Century and after), the study of Korean carpentry tools are also focused on this period. 2  Carpentry tools before the Joseon Era are studied using the excavated remains from archaeological researches, but they are limited in number and still in the early stages of sorting basic information and materials. 3  As basic categorization of tool types has already been established, researches regarding the individual tools will be needed going forward. There also needs to be a survey on the present blacksmith practices as well as interviews of today's carpenters.
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  • Hui Li
    2014Volume 25 Pages 95-138
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: March 20, 2021
    RESEARCH REPORT / TECHNICAL REPORT OPEN ACCESS
    This article reports on the results of the survey on the carpentry tools used by the carpenters in the Maintenance Center of the Palace Museum in Beijing, China. The main contents could be explained by three key points as follows. 1  It is found that it is the most urgent and important issue to clarify out a standard set of carpentry tool s through the study of preceding research articles. I start this research by working on the one used in the Maintenance Center of the Palace Museum. 2  The standard set of carpentry tools contains 54 types with 72 tools. Among them, the plane set has 11 types with 17 tools, which stands on the top. The set of measurement tools follows with 10 types and 16 tools. The third one is the saw set of 7 types with 7 tools and the fourth one is the chisel set of 4 types with 10 tools. 3  The standard set of carpentry tools has two special features, which are different from those of the carpenters living in the suburbs of Beijing. One is that the ink-pot is decorated by the shape of Mayetou( 麻葉頭), a part in bracket complexes of the Qing architecture . The other one is that a big table with a large storage cabinet is used as a working stand.
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