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 12 types of saws belonging to 10 separate categories. This constitutes the standard set of saws used in modern carpentry. What types of saws were used from the 17th to 19th centuries? My research into various reference materials concerning architectural saws has yielded the following findings. (1) In modern times， there have been at least seven different types of saws for architectural uses (totaling over ten different units)， which can basically be classified into the following three categories : (a) those used for felling and ripping logs， (b) those used for cutting and processing timbers to be used for primary structures (such as pillars and beams)， and (c) those used for cutting and processing timbers to be used for main fixtures(such as head jambs and “nageshi”， a horizontal piece of timber in the frame of a Japanese style house). (2) In those days， the saws were named according to their sizes and “teeth differences” (in terms of their functions， such as “teeth for ripping” or “teeth for crosscutting”) . (3) It has been generally believed that a certain change in terms of the shapes of saws occurred in the latter half of the 18th century. (4) To our knowledge， the structure of the saws fundamentally consisted of a tang and a handle. (5) It has been generally believed that a certain change in terms of the posture of carpenters using saws also occurred in the latter half of the 18th century.

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It is generally believed that the art of making a groove or grooves in horizontally long timbers with the aim of dovetailing them into each other or inlaying doors and shoji (paper—sliding doors) was invented back in the uromachi era (1336–1573). The description of planes for professional use first appearedin the “Vocabvulario da Lingoa de Iapom” (Japanese–Portuguese Dictionary) publishedin 1603. Up until early in the Meiji era (1868–1912)， there were only two types of grooving planes， one which was used to plane the bottom of a groove and another which was used to plane the sides of it. However， with the introduction of modern occidental architecture into Japan， many different types of grooving planes were contrived in order to make the various forms of grooves necessary to meet rapidly diversifying architectural requirements in the country. A thorough study of the shapes and functions of the grooving planes based on a variety of literature， actual models， and other relevant documentary records existing and available since the Meiji era has shown that from the bottom grooving plane referred to in the foregoing was derived an “Arashakuri Plane” (rebate plane for rough cut) which was capable of planing thick timbers. As far as we know， carpenters in those days provided themselves with several types of “Sokoshakuri Plane” (rebate plane) according to the depth and width of grooves that had to be routed just as in the case of chisels or planers， and that in the course of attempting to make such small grooves with a narrow width of less than four Bu (a Bu is equivalent to 0.119 in.)， a “Kudeshakuri plane” (combination fillister) and “Kikaishakuri Plane” (geared combination fillister) were contrived. These planes were then equipped with a side cutter and a fence to be used as a composite functional plane. In the meantime， from the “Sokoshakuri Plane” (rebate plane) capable of making grooves with a width as large as five Bu (0.595 in.) or more， to be required mainly for making lintels， thresholds and window sills was derived a special type of plane capable of discharging shavings through its upper end. This special type of plane further developed into a composite functional “Motoichishakuri Plane” (combination rebate plane) equipped with a side cutter and a fence.

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