Masakari Japanese Hand Made Ship Carpenters Axe By Shigezoku - 122mm

Brand name: Shigezoku(重族)

Smith name: Unknown

Steel: Carbon Steel

Type: On page 21 of the 1958 brochure from Naohei, I found this type of axe; it is categorized as an axe for shipwrights (ship carpenters).

Jigane: Modern soft iron

Blade width: 122mm

Weight: 1800g

Manufacture Era: Before 1990

Additional Information:  This item is unused and in great condition, showing only light surface rust. It is a finely crafted axe featuring a thick, substantial blade, with side-face forging that brings to mind the work of the renowned axe smith Tsunbo (ツンボ). It was originally part of a collection belonging to a retired carpenter in Chiba. Unfortunately, as it was originally purchased from a specialty tool shop in Tokyo, no further details about the blacksmith can be provided.

According to available online records, "Shigezoku" (重族) was likely a Showa-era craftsman based in the Tokyo (or Kanto) region, renowned for forging chouna (traditional carpenter's adzes). While kiridashi knives by Shigezoku occasionally surface, axes forged by his hand are exceedingly rare.

Reference links: http://blog.livedoor.jp/new_alces/archives/30392569.html