The Japanese tradition of Sashimono joinery dates back over 1000 years and is now a protected craft. The tools associated with the craft have also been refined and developed over a similar period, but in the last 80 years Japanese toolmaking has seen an influx of skills as many of the old Japanese sword smithing families have switched to making woodworking tools.

One of the fundamental elements of sashimono is reliance on the mechanical strength of the joinery rather than adhesives or fixings. The differences are what make Japanese tools so fascinating to learn about and rewarding to use.

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