Masakari Japanese Broad Axes - 216mm

Smith name: Unknown

Steel: Carbon Steel

Jigane: Unknown

Blade width: 216mm

Full length: 930mm

Manufacture Era: Before World War II 

Total Weight: 4037g

Accessories: -

Additional Information: Used but in good condition. It comes from the collection of a woodworker in Nagano Prefecture. He carefully sharpened it, replaced the wooden handle, and made a cord sheath to protect the blade. 

Mr. Tsuchida told me that this shape of masakari is common in the Kanto region of Japan; and the information from the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum indicates that this masakari is a "中部北陸型/Chubu Hokuriku type".

Additionally, on the website of the famous tool shop Mandaraya, this shape of masakari is referred to as the "杣型/Soma style" (Soma-gata). The term 'Soma' originates from the craftsmen who used this type of axe—"杣職/Soma-shoku" were specialized technicians active from ancient through medieval times who focused on the felling, transporting, and rough-hewing of timber in Somayama (state-owned or temple/shrine-owned forests). Also known as “杣人/Somabito”, they were professional lumberjacks highly skilled in timber extraction techniques and well-versed in enduring harsh living conditions deep within the forests.

For the uses and usage videos of this axe, please refer to this website: https://www.bigsandwoodworking.com/hatsurou-kai/