Traditional Measuring Tools: Bamboo Rules, Sumitsubo
A traditional tool in the service of measurement, still produced in Japan today. The 30 cm ruler is marked on one side only, those which are 50 and 100 cm long are scaled on both sides in centimetres and part of the way in millimetres, though not with any figure marked. Only reasonably accurate, as such a natural product will tend to be, but a joy to have on any desk or drawing board.
| Length | Order nr. | Price |
| 30 cm, graduation see picture bottom | 309610  |
€ 5.80 |
| 50 cm, graduation see picture top | 309611 |
€ 7.00 |
| 100 cm, graduation see picture top | 309612 |
€ 15.70 |
The Sumitsubo - a traditional Japanese carpenter’s line
This is like the familiar carpenter's chalk system, but the Sumitsubo produces a much finer line. Instead of the dry chalk used in Europe, ink grains are dissolved in water and the cotton wool is soaked in this solution. The line is drawn through the damp wadding, fixed under tension and snapped against the surface - a fine, straight line is the immediate result.
A traditional model with carved design.
Japanese carpenters always tended to keep their toolboxes simple. Decoration was seen as boastfulness and thus despised. However, these rules did not apply to the Sumitsubo, which was a symbol, often left in the finished building. Because it had this ceremonial function it used to be crafted by the carpenters themselves, frequently with very rich carving.
All types come with marking tip, cord line, cotton wadding and Japanese dry ink. Click pictures for enlargements!
Hand made ink line - reproduction of original left in South gate of Todaiji Temple in Nara.
Length of body 230 mm
Order nr. 310500
Price € 149.00
Accessories and Replacements for Japanese Marking Tools
Ebony or Rosewood
Total length 58 mm
Needle length 10 mm
Set of 3
Order nr. 310504
Price € 7.50
Dieses traditionelle Markierwerkzeug wird anstelle eines Bleistiftes zum Anzeichnen auf Holz benutzt. Der angespitzte und fein aufgeschnittene Bambusstreifen wird in Tinte getaucht und anschließend werden die Striche gezogen.
Detail of tip
To be used with ink
Length 250 mm
Width 18 mm
Set of 2
Order nr. 310508
Price € 3.50
