Antique Japanese 'CARVED TURTLE' Carpenters 'Sumitsubo' INK POT - 'Chalk Line'

Description

From my Sumitsubo collection:
Here we have an early
Antique,
'CARVED TURTLE' Carpenter's  'Sumitsubo' INK POT - '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 example is hand carved in the shape of a box with a 'Carved Turtle Head'. The toe area, just behind the head, is carved in a round 'well' shape and is where the ink 'pond' is located. The 'Box' body is very nicely carved on the top and sides with
water lily type flowers.
It has a wood constructed wheel /reel which is driven by an early wrought iron handle.  The top of the body has some age cracks and a small hook.  The bottom of the body has a 5/8" wide groove that may have been used to keep the pot straight on the edge of a board during use.  This sumitsubo does not have its 'inked cotton' in the well, but this could be replaced if you plan on using this sumitsubo.  The reel and is loaded with string-like line.  The line exits though the the turtle's mouth and is tied to a small washer which would be placed over a small nail when tightening the string for 'snapping'. There is no makers mark, which is typical.  It is approx. 7-1/4" L x 2-5/8" W (not counting the handle). This in the
only
'
turtle
'
example I've ever seen.
This is a great example of a VERY early inkpot that you need to add to your collection !!
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