Event
Carving a Sumitsubo
Experience up close the refined techniques and delicate handwork of a master sumitsubo craftsman in this rare live demonstration.
Sumitsubo
in One Hundred Forms
March 7 - May 10, 2026
TAKENAKA CARPENTRY TOOLS MUSEUM SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Exploring the Diversity of Sumitsubo Across Japan and the World, Shaped by Region, Craft, and Culture.
On view
March 7 – May 10, 2026
Hours: 9:30 - 16:30 (Last admission 16:00)
Closed: Monday (The following weekday when Monday falls on a national holiday)
Venue
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, 1F Hall, 7-5-1 Kumochi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
Access
Admission
Adults: ¥ 1,000
Seniors (65 and over) / Students (College/University, High School): ¥ 700
Students (Elementary, Junior High School): Free
*Including permanent exhibition fee
The sumitsubo is a traditional tool used to snap inked lines, essential for carpenters when marking straight lines. Over time, however, its form came to embody not only practicality but also beauty and playfulness. Some feature flowing shapes, intricate carvings, or motifs of animals and auspicious symbols; others are so enormous that they can no longer serve their original function. This cultural expression spread not only in Japan but also across other parts of Asia. In this exhibition, we present a wide variety of sumitsubo, showcasing their rich designs and the stories that accompany them.
Articles
Guide
Ways to Appreciate the Sumitsubo
Explore the sumitsubo’s history and design evolution, and learn how to see the craft, form, and regional diversity in new ways.
Guide
The Changing Forms of Sumitsubo
Tracing the evolution of the Japanese sumitsubo from its earliest archaeological examples to modern industrial forms, this article explores how function, form, and craftsmanship shaped the tool across more than a millennium.
Installation Views
Installation images
A visual report from the exhibition space, featuring installation views and highlights from Sumitsubo in One Hundred Forms.
Interview
Interview - Unyielding Craftsmanship— Tsubosei Tamaki Workshop
An interview with sumitsubo craftsman Yuichi Tamaki on materials, carving techniques, and sustaining the craft today.
Publication
Publication
Information on the exhibition catalog and related publications for Sumitsubo in One Hundred Forms.
