Hanten Coat 

Dyed cotton.

Courtesy of Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, Kōbe.

Carpenters’ work clothes originally consisted of a three-piece set: haragake apron, momohiki leggings, and an emblazoned hanten jacket. This attire became popular in the late Edo period (1603–1868). Prior to this, carpenters wore an informal kimono called kariginu (lit. ‘hunting clothes’). 

Haragake, momohiki and hanten were terms used in Edo (present-day Tokyo). In the Kansai region (Kyoto and Osaka), the different components were called harate, patchi, and happi. All versions were generally made from plain, indigo-dyed cotton. As power tools became more common, the hanten, which could easily get caught in machinery, were replaced by work clothes with fitted sleeves. 

Kabuto-ya (forked arrow)

Kabura-ya (whistling arrow)

Yumi-sao (arch)

Hinoki cypress, 2017.

Courtesy of Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, Kōbe.

Symbolic arrows are used in an archery ritual to wish for the surrender of demons, purifying the area prior to an important carpentry project. The head carpenter would take the lead during such a ceremony with traditions handed down within carpentry families. In the ritual, one carpenter aims the kabura-ya (‘whistling arrow’) at the demon gate, another aims the kabuto-ya (’forked arrow’) at the pestilence gate. These actions are repeated three times. The Japanese names for the ceremonial arrows shown here are used by the Takenaka Ōsumi family of carpenters. These arrows are also known as harimata-ya and hikime-ya.