Japanese Carpenters Wooden 'Sumitsubo' INK POT w/ Cast Iron Wheel - 'Chalk Line'

Description

From my Sumitsubo collection:
Here we have, what I believe, is the '
earliest example'
in my collection - an
Antique, PRIMITIVE Japanese Asian Carpenter's Wooden 'Sumitsubo' INK POT Line
w/ a CAST IRON
( !! )
Reel/Wheel
- 'Chalk Line'.
Sumitsubo translates to “ink pot”
.
The inkpot has been a common tool in many Asian countries since ancient times.
Traditionally, the carpenter would make the sumitsubo himself, taking pleasure in carving his favorite designs onto the inkpot.  Strong, easy to handle zelkova, keyaki wood is generally used to make the sumitsubo, but high-quality examples use mulberry.  A
thin line travels through holes at each end of a “pond” filled with absorbent silk or cotton waste soaked with ink, and then spools around a wheel or reel. As the line is let out it soaks up ink from the
‘
pond
’
.
Once it is stretched, the line is then ‘snapped’ to mark the surface for cutting, etc.  This LARGE example was roughly hand-carved with almost a 'medieval-type' of design.  The thick & HEAVY cast iron wheel turns as it should.  There is still an old nail located up near the axle on one side.  I chose to leave it there since that is how I got it.  T see some age-related cracks in the wood that are nice and solid.  They add great original character to the piece !! The Sumitsubo still has the ink cotton and is loaded with string-like line.  The line exits though the carved 'nose' guide.  There is no makers mark which is typical.  It is approx. 8-1/2" L x 3" W.  This is such a great example of an early, early, inkpot that you'll just have to add it to your collection !!
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