榉木，黄铜（Item 1）；树脂/漆面复合材料，黄铜（Item 2） - 日本 - Shōwa period (1926-1989)

Japanese Carpenter's Ink-Line Tools (Sumitsubo) — Kinshodo (金正堂) No.3 Carved Zelkova Example + Brass-Reel Example, Set of 2

A lot of two Japanese sumitsubo (墨壺) — traditional carpenter's ink-line marking tools used to snap long, straight lines onto timber, a fundamental piece of equipment in traditional Japanese woodworking (daiku dōgu).

The first is marked Kinshodo (金正堂), No.3, carved from solid zelkova (keyaki) wood in the traditional boat-shaped form, with a bird — often described as a crane, an auspicious motif in Japanese craft — carved at the prow, and a wooden spoked thread reel. The ink reservoir, thread, and needle are present; note that the small retaining pin for the reel is missing (see photos).

The second is a related later example, with a dark lacquered resin body and a toothed brass thread reel, also carved with a bird motif at the prow, and retaining its wound thread and needle assembly intact.

Both pieces show honest surface wear and age-related grime consistent with genuine workshop use; overall condition is good, as shown in the photographs.