Templates for forming curves (produced by Ikaruga Kosha)

Drawing with ink
– the aesthetic principles of toryo

Sumigake is the act of marking lines that are used as indications for later processing. Particularly important is the drawing of curves required, for example, for the roofs. Exhibited in this section are the tools (templates) and technical drawings (1:1 scale 5.4x2.7m, 5 boards) that are necessary for a work requiring such a degree of precision.

 

 

 

 

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A corner rafter being built (produced by Ikaruga Kosha)

Carving
– sharp tools and the aspirations of carpenters

In shrine and temple architecture, where a millimetric precision is required, it is important to work on timber with extremely sharp tools. This section presents the operation of carving that is normally hidden to the public eye, using unfinished round columns, corner rafters and beams.
*The corner rafter is extremely large and can only be exhibited at the Tokyo and Nagoya venues.

 

 

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The tools used by Tsunekazu Nishioka <private collection>

Tools – the souls of carpenters

It is said that the soul of a carpenter is ingrained in the tools he uses. Mainly consisting of tools used by Tsunekazu Nishioka, the shrine carpenter Toryo of Nara, the types of tools frequently used by the shrine carpenters are displayed.