How to use a Sashigane (Japanese carpenter's square)!! Circumference, compound angles!!

[@finley888888]

just started the video and wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoy your choice of word order for the first sentence. "I've finally finished this desk for a client that I've been making" Now we know where all the good clients come from! :D

[@brucedichter2718]

I'm sorry for your loss, and do appreciate your taking the time to respond to my question. I have a couple of other books written in Japanese, and while they're well illustrated, it is hard to gain a functional understanding from the drawings. Best of luck to you, and may 2022 bring you well-being.

[@samspade4634]

Wow, what a great measurement tool. It's always amazing to me how "complicated" and accurate the tools were before all this modern technology. I really believe that the average craftsman of old was much more sophisticated than say the average talent of today's "craftsman. Today we just throw it on the cnc machine. Great video I learned something new today. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@TenonsTenors]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@timelyrain]

how about the guys who designed those cnc machines? are they skilled?

[@JesseReilly1111]

Thanks! I have a book on japanese joinery, and I could see that the sashigane was more than just a glorified ruler - your video really spelled out how it's used and why it's useful.

[@TenonsTenors]

Great to hear!

[@landesnorm]

I agree with all the other commenters. I have only one sashigane, but I knew that its potential was out of reach without some kind of instruction. Moreover, I enjoyed your pronunciation and use of daiku no kotoba. It shows that you have an appreciation of Japanese culture beyond Japanese joinery.

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks! 26 years in Japan and a Masters degree in interpretation had definitely given me an appreciation of the culture. Thanks for watching!

[@chippysteve4524]

That joint at the end is brilliant.

[@TenonsTenors]

Pretty cool, right!?

[@thismonthindub]

I tried replicating the 2-cut flipped joint at the end, and it worked remarkably well. Mine didn't end up completely perpendicular, but even then, in the flipped position, the internal sawcut sides become outside planes that line up perfectly with the outer planes of the wood. Nice one to wrap your head around! Thanks for explaining the features of the square. I'd be interested in a full length video about laying out oddly angled joints using the sashigane.

[@TenonsTenors]

Neat stuff, right! Thanks for watching and thanks for the idea about a future video. I need to study a lot more before I can show anything else though, a lot of that stuff is still really over my head!

[@andrewashford9829]

Definitely a cool tool. I’ve just started getting into Japanese woodworking and this is on my “tools to get” list.

[@TenonsTenors]

Cool! It's definitely handy. Thanks for watching!

[@andrewashford9829]

@@TenonsTenors I just got one from Hida Tool in Berkeley, CA. Now I’ve got to get down to using it for all of the cool things it can do.

[@TenonsTenors]

@@andrewashford9829 Great to hear!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Who's the boss? 😎

[@FatZh0x]

Really interesting ! i've never heard of it before but i'll definitly look more in deep about it ! Nice video ! (ps : i shivered at the chisel bevel touching the table in the intro haha)

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks for watching!

[@Axis2936]

You got me with the final joint! Thanks!

[@TenonsTenors]

Cool stuff, right! Thanks for watching!

[@beverleythomas5708]

Very interesting topic. At the end when you turned the piece of wood and fit it perpendicular on the other cut-off, I was like 😲Wow!

[@TenonsTenors]

Pretty cool, right! Thanks for watching!

[@musamor75]

Hello there, So sorry to hear that you're berieved; only time can heal that wound. This was a really fascinating video. You have opened up the imagination of many people, and have de-mystified some of the obscure secrets of this most complex art: japanese joinery. I believe the oldest wooden structures in the world are to be found in Japan. That carpenter's square is simply a dream tool. You can tell it must be ancient! It is much to your honour that you have taken a keen interest in Japanese art. I'm a cabinet maker (France), and I discovered Japanese woodworking tools about thirty five years ago- but the square wasn't one of them. They are a truly fascinating people. Thanks ever so much for sharing. Take good care. God bless. Greetings from France.

[@TenonsTenors]

Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm happy that I can pass on the limited knowledge I have to others that find it useful. You have inspired me to keep on making videos, and I thank you for that!

[@aferetis2379]

so interesting! I never came up to this before. thank you for sharing!

[@TenonsTenors]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@petervandermolen9835]

Very insightful and inspiring

[@timelyrain]

Just want to add that Sashegane it is not only a Japanese tool, but one that is used widely in east Asia. It was only introduced to Japan as late as the 7th century. Also, 寸(sun) is a unit of measurement widely used in other East Asian countries as well.

[@TenonsTenors]

Good to know! Thanks for the info!

[@serge-emilesimpson678]

That was a really helpful video. Thank you.

[@TenonsTenors]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@red58impala]

Man... That was like drinking from a fire hose ;-). Good stuff. I had thought about buying one of those to use as a square. I never knew it had all those features. I may have to pick one up and compare it to a western square. I believe the speed square for carpentry has lots of tricks hidden in it as well. Unfortunately, I have no taken the time to look into those tricks mostly because I don't do carpentry and also because I've been lazy about it. Great video. Keep them coming.

[@TenonsTenors]

Yes, I've seen people introduce the functions of a speed square and it has lots of little tricks as well. What struck me as the largest difference is the western speed square has actual angles indicated in degrees whereas the sashigane uses the length of the sides of a triangle to figure out those angles. If you think about it, a circle can be divided into multiple triangles. So, a triangle enables you to derive all 360 degrees of angles from a circle. Pretty ingenious. Thanks for watching!

[@davidpatrick3011]

Great video!

[@TenonsTenors]

Thank you!

[@shripadlale7476]

Very interesting tool, and very well made video. These traditional tools are complex and have evolved over several generations. People (at least like me) need a ‘quick start’ guide in order to get a basic understanding so that the tool can be explored further. I know this for a fact since I have a slide rule given to me by my uncle, AND even a book called “How to use a slide rule, which I found in an old books store. But I have still not figured out how to use that brilliant piece of engineering! I wish there was an intro video like this for the slide rule! Thanks a lot for taking the time to make this video! 🙏

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks for watching! Wish I could help with the slide rule, but that's over my head too!

[@cartoontalk4568]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/moWak4akZZifrpI Not sure if you're still looking but here's a detailed video on slide rules

[@shripadlale7476]

@@cartoontalk4568 yes, I am still looking and Thanks a lot for sharing it!

[@cartoontalk4568]

@@shripadlale7476 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHuunpZqhbuXnpY It's a two part series and this part gives you instructions for multiplication and division. The other is for proportions, square roots, etc. Have fun with your slide rule, I've been planning on buying one myself!

[@daksta50]

Putting aside the pi scale and the root 2 scale, it’s just a regular square. The same angles can be got using a regular square. You’re simply using a different unit scale. A 5 sun slope is the same as a 5” slope using 10” instead of 10 sun. It becomes more useful in building construction because of its light weight and flexibility over a western builder’s square. Just my thoughts.

[@grinninggoat5369]

So, you're saying it isn't just a regular square because it has a Pi & square root function scale and is usefully flexible in more ways than other squares right? 😂

[@daksta50]

@@grinninggoat5369 Right

[@antonhan4815]

I use an imperial version big and small. Sometimes I wish it were like a framing square. I've yet to find one with just plain units in inches, so I can use it as a framing square on the front and back. But this particular kind of Sashigane with calculated measurements is very useful too. I'm going to be using it milling lumber at my timber framing job.

[@TenonsTenors]

Great!

[@domward8352]

That was really interesting

[@TenonsTenors]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@EliaGaitau]

Oh my gosh. This is like the matrix. Especially the end!

[@josephlai9759]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge gained by using this Sashigane. I was hoping you would highlight the special profile of the ruler which I could not get my head around when it is said that its profile enable accurate marking of the wood with a bamboo pen without having the ink rubbed off. I don't have a Sashigane so hard to understand.

[@jjavierre]

A little late to pop in but i have to say that it is a great piece of information for beginners like me! Thank you. I have to ask if you would be willing and have the time to put the instructions in a document that we can purchase from you? I do not speak Japanese.. Best of luck from Spain

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks for watching! All the info I got out of the book I tried to put in the video, so there's not much more I can provide to you, even on paper. Sorry!

[@PanEtRosa]

well, damn... in a Western shop, doing all that would take about 5 different tools. I've *been* studying Japanese techniques for about 10 years now, from the US, and I'm disappointed - but not surprised... - it took so long to hear about this one. thanks!

[@TenonsTenors]

Pretty ingenious, right? The old ways can be so much better sometimes. Thanks for watching!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Hasn't Pandora died yet?

[@williamhector6863]

That was very interesting I enjoy that thanks

[@TenonsTenors]

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks commenter I didn't realize Ile adjust the game accordingly

[@lohikarhu734]

"dangling modifiers" .... "For a client that I've been making..." Just one of those funny grammar things, no? Now, back to the video, looks like a good oneñ

[@dpmeyer4867]

very cool tool

[@TenonsTenors]

Thank you!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

n tunnel, so is it the square on the drawing pin or is it hiding in the n thick sharp [ n ] tunnel the n is spelt as the square

[@Onionbaron]

Very interesting!

[@TenonsTenors]

I thought so too! Thanks for watching!

[@TokyoSilver]

Great video! 意義深い動画ありがとう　楽しみました /// all my respect and best wishes! 参考になりました　Love & Create!

[@TenonsTenors]

見ていただいて、ありがとうございます!

[@HandmadeDarcy]

Thank you so much!

[@TenonsTenors]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@PanEtRosa]

ahhhh what book is that?!? ahahaha ^^; got excited and impatient. thanks for sharing it.

[@lohikarhu734]

Interesting, a bit complex to manage in one video, but certainly enough to get a hint of what can be done! Those numbers π and √2 are rather important, and flexible! Thanks!

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks for watching!

[@pierspowlesland4457]

Great video! What is the name of the joint you made at the end?

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks! The name in the book is 一墨切り (issumi-kiri), but that literally means "one ink line cut," so I'm not sure if all issumi-kiri are the same or not. There may be different variations the produce different joints. Hope that helps!

[@joelyoung8006]

There’s a site to get these in the us. called HIDA tools

[@TenonsTenors]

Thanks! I just looked at the site. Unfortunately they don't have closeups of the ones they are selling. The newer ones sometimes have centimeters/inch, etc. on both sides and very few have the scales on the inside corners for measuring circumference, etc. as I show in the video. So be aware of that. I can see some of those on the website. The old school sashigane that I introduce has become increasingly more difficult to find, even here in Japan. Thanks for watching!

[@brucedichter2718]

Thank you for this video. I've used a sashigane for several years , knowing that it had "secrets" but not knowing what they were. I've been looking for a book on laying out Japanese roofs but without success. Do you know of any written in English (I have no knowledge of Japanese), or if not, of one well enough illustrated so I could make a stab at it? If so, how I might obtain a copy in the US? I look forward to seeing what other videos you've posted. Thank you again.

[@TenonsTenors]

Glad the video was able to show you something useful! Unfortunately, I do not know of any books in English on the subject. It's a very difficult subject to wrap your head around even in Japanese. The offer courses on it to people looking to become carpenters because you really need an expert to bounce questions off of, the book I have is great, but it left me scratching my head about a lot of things. Sorry! Thanks for watching, a death in the family has gotten me off track, but I hope to be able to start making videos again in the near future.

[@Chain21SAW]

Can we have details of the book please ?

[@TenonsTenors]

Sure, it's called 規矩術の基礎と実践 (The Fundamentals and Practice of Kikujutsu)　published by 誠文堂新光社 (Seibundo Shinkosha). It's in Japanese and I don't know of an English translation.

[@sidmcq8780]

Very interesting, but where can I get this exact one ????

[@TenonsTenors]

I'm not sure where you are in the world, but I'd start with finding a tool store that imports Japanese tools. You have to be careful though because many modern sashigane only have centimeter marks on both sides and differ from the one in my video which has the traditional shaku measurements as well. You can find many different types on Amazon Japan, but you'll have to find a company that ships overseas (I'm assuming). Look at the description pics carefully though since, as I mentioned, many sashigane only have cm marks. Thanks for watching!

[@sidmcq8780]

@@TenonsTenors Thank you for replying to me , I am in the uk , I have found one on Amazon, not sure if it’s the one ! I just love that pi scale and sq of 2 and the sun scale….. I want one please 😎 Wher did you get your one ???? Regards Sid

[@TenonsTenors]

@@sidmcq8780 I live in Japan and purchased mine at a local hardware store. The cm marked sashigane usually have the pi scale on them, so I think you'd be ok buying one of those off of Amazon. Good luck!

[@sidmcq8780]

@@TenonsTenors I have received from Amazon the metric sashigane that have the pi and sq of 2 …. Fantastic but I really would like to see the Japanese shaku scale …. Can I email you please??

[@TenonsTenors]

@@sidmcq8780 Sorry, I don't give out my email. But, I found this closeup drawing of a sashigane that shows the shaku scale. www.bansho.co.jp/kiku/kiku002.html

[@thismonthindub]

I was wondering if you could perhaps share the angles on 4 sides of the wood that make up the two cuts for the issumi-kiri joint at the end. How does the book you reference specify such cuts?

[@TenonsTenors]

The angles are determined using the sashigane, as I tried to explain in the video, so I don't know the actual degree values. The book explains how to use the sashigane to achieve the correct angles, but, as I explained, the sashigane uses the old Japanese units of measurement and cannot be accurately translated into English. This is a really simplified explanation, but basically you position the sashigane so that the x-axis and y-axis both fall on one side of the piece of wood at the correct units (i.e., x=4, y=1) which will give you the correct slope (or angle) on which to make your cut. It's very complicated, and even though I've been reading/writing/speaking Japanese for over 30 years, it was quite challenging to figure out from a book. This type of stuff really needs to be passed down verbally from master to apprentice. Sorry!

[@marcobettencourturbina1107]

Can you post a link for that book please?

[@TenonsTenors]

Sure, here it is on Amazon Japan. Thanks for watching! www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%9B%B3%E8%A7%A3-%E8%A6%8F%E7%9F%A9%E8%A1%93%E3%81%AE%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E3%81%A8%E5%AE%9F%E8%B7%B5-%E6%9B%B2%E5%B0%BA%E3%81%AE%E4%BD%BF%E3%81%84%E6%96%B9%E3%81%AE%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E5%BF%9C%E7%94%A8%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A7%E3%82%92%E6%8A%98%E3%82%8A%E7%B4%99%E3%81%A7%E3%82%8F%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8A%E3%82%84%E3%81%99%E3%81%8F%E8%A7%A3%E8%AA%AC-%E5%A4%A7%E5%B7%A5%E9%81%93%E5%85%B7%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E4%BC%9A/dp/4416614489/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&dchild=1&keywords=%E8%A6%8F%E7%9F%A9%E8%A1%93&qid=1634511080&sr=8-5

[@marcobettencourturbina1107]

@@TenonsTenors thank you!

[@bushidoenator]

Is there any english language book that will teach kikujutsu? I cannot find anything that is not in japanese.

[@TenonsTenors]

Not to my knowledge. And, honestly, after reading the book I have I think it would be a lot easier to learn in person from an actual expert miyadaiku. There's a guy in Kyoto who offers courses to foreigners if you're able to come to Japan, or if you live here. He has a website as well on which he shows clips from these courses. Here's a link. www.youtube.com/@suikoushya

[@bushidoenator]

@@TenonsTenors Thanks for the informaiton. I live in Guatemala and going to Japan is not really in the cards. There isn't much of a japanese or a woodworking community here either. I guess I will try to get the books in japanese and rough out some translations. It might not be ideal but Kikujutsu seems like an amazing thing to glimpse, even indirectly. Great vid, very tantalizing! Also thanks for the video source, I'll be sure to dig in!

[@TenonsTenors]

@@bushidoenator I completely understand. Yeah, I'd take a look at the KZbin channel I sent to you, he's got a lot of good information and he uses a sashigane all the time, which is the main measuring tool used when practicing kikujutsu. Good luck!

[@user-zf4mz5mc3i]

How can I get in touch outside this comment section? thanks

[@migo-migo9503]

I wish we had one in imperial

[@mdmd-mf3bg]

we just call the sashi-migiger a square best used for throwing at slow apprentices.... 1/4" sun-amigiger good enough! :P :)

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Japan is tiny the square huge or massive

[@manny3549]

Creating a video without showing examples defeats the purpose of a video. It would have been a lot more interesting with actual pieces of wood but thanks for trying.

[@TenonsTenors]

Try watching to the end of the video before you make comments. There's literally a wood joint in the thumbnail that I cut to show you.