Uchimaru nomi Japanese Shallow U-Gouge Chisel By Koun - 36mm

Brand name: 光雲(Koun)

Smith name: Unknown

Steel: Carbon Steel 

Blade width: 36mm

Manufacture Era: 2000s (according to collector’s memory)

Blade Angles: 26°

Total length: 235mm

Neck length: 45mm

Blade length: 45mm

Types of wooden handles：Japanese White oak（Shirakashi）

Weight: 196g

Accessories：—

Additional Information: Used, in good condition. This is a chisel from a retired engraver in the Tokyo area. 

A note about the brand 光雲(Koun):

I have found that many retired temple carpenters or professional carvers in or near Tokyo always have chisels of the Konobu, Koun(光雲), and Motoi(宗意) brands.
I was impressed by the koun chisels, which are similar in shape and finish to the konobu. (Some of the motoi chisels are also similar to the konobu, but the recent chisels seem to be made by Niigata blacksmiths).
I asked Mr. Tsuchida Noboru about Koun. Mr. tsuchida told me that the Koun(光雲) brand is a professional carving tool shop with good reviews in Asakusa, Tokyo. The name of the store is 光雲堂(Koun-dou, founded in 1894, it closed about 10 years ago). The shop provides high-quality tools to Japanese engraving master Takamura Kōun (高村 光雲, March 8, 1852 – October 10, 1934), who gave his name to the blacksmith as the name of his shop. As for why Koun brand chisels look very similar to Konobu, Mr. Tsuchida told me that many Konobu apprentices provide chisels to Koun store.