ono　斧

KEY WORD :　architecture / tools

An ax. The ax has existed since the Stone Age, and was one of the earliest implements used by man. Its design was improved, and until recently it remained an essential tool for felling timber. However, in the mid-1950's the chainsaw was introduced from America, and the ono fell out of use in Japan. The ax called tazuki 多都岐 had a wide blade and was used to shave or split timber along the wood grain. It was also referred to as a hewing ax *masakari 鉞. A second type of ax known as yoki 与岐 had a long, narrow blade and was used to make a deep incision into the base of a standing tree. These axes were produced in Tosa 土佐, Shikoku 四国 region, which was one of the regions specially designated as a center for tool forging in the late Edo period.

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