Vintage Japanese Sumitsubo Set of 3 Signed Tsuboaki Sanjo Carpenter Ink Tools

Vintage Japanese Sumitsubo Set of 3 – Signed Tsuboaki, Sanjo Carpenter Ink Line Tools
(The turtle-motif sumitsubo is the one signed “坪昭” (Tsuboaki).)

This is a set of three traditional Japanese wooden sumitsubo, carpenter’s ink-line marking tools used for marking straight lines on timber.

The highlight of this set is one sumitsubo bearing the maker’s mark “坪昭” (Tsuboaki) on the underside. Tsuboaki is the craftsman name associated with Shoji Nakano (Nakano Shoji / 中野昭次), a highly regarded traditional sumitsubo maker from Sanjo, Niigata, one of Japan’s historic centers of woodworking and tool production.

The signed piece features an especially attractive carved turtle (kame) motif around the ink reservoir together with a finely made wooden line wheel. Turtle motifs are traditionally associated with longevity and good fortune in Japan.

The other two sumitsubo are unsigned and have different traditional forms, making this an interesting group showing several styles of old Japanese carpenter’s ink-line tools.

Turtle Motif Sumitsubo:
Height: 10.0 cm / 3.94 in
Length: 26.0 cm / 10.24 in
Width: 11.5 cm / 4.53 in

Total Weight (Set of 3):
1,045 g / 2.30 lbs

These are older working tools and show substantial signs of previous use and age, including surface wear, scratches, old ink residue, discoloration, oxidation to the metal fittings, and remnants of the original line. These traces of use are part of their character as traditional Japanese carpenter’s tools.

Please check the photos carefully for details.