Stone chisel

A type of polished stone axe. A chisel-shaped stone axe. Its overall shape is columnar or plate-like. Its cross-section is square, rectangular, or trapezoidal, and many of its blades are asymmetrical (single-edged) when viewed from the side. However, some are symmetrical (double-edged). In Japan, it corresponds to the columnar single-edged stone axe and flattened single-edged stone axe of the Yayoi period. It is named after its resemblance to the blade of a chisel. However, while a chisel has a straight handle that extends from the base of the blade, a "stone chisel" has a knee handle that is bent in the shape of the letter "H", and the angle between the tip of the blade and the handle is about 90 degrees, just like a hoe, so it is not appropriate to compare it to a chisel. Its main use is for processing wood, such as gouging and shaving, but in New Guinea it is also used for felling trees and rough splitting.

[Makoto Sahara]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

磨製石斧(せきふ)の一種。鑿形石斧。全体の形は柱状、板状。断面形は正方形、長方形、台形を呈し、刃は側方からみて左右非相称（片刃(かたは)）のものが多い。しかし左右相称（両刃(りょうば)）のものも含まれる。日本では弥生(やよい)時代の柱状片刃石斧、扁平(へんぺい)片刃石斧にあたる。鑿の刃身に似ていることからこの名がある。しかし、鑿は、刃身の根元からその延長線上にまっすぐ柄(え)が伸びるのに対して、「石鑿」には「へ」の字に曲折した膝柄(ひざえ)がつき、刃先と柄とがなす角度は、鍬(くわ)の場合と同様、90度前後となるから、鑿に例えるのは適当とはいえない。えぐり、削るなど木材の加工を主用途とするが、ニューギニアなどでは伐採、荒割りにも用いた。

［佐原　真］

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