Tosa Mituboshi (three stars) Axe

W75mm×D170mm×H30mm

It is an old axe from Tosa (Kochi-ken) Japan. It made in the same way as Japanese sward smithing technique. The meaning of lines are for respect the nature. The 3 lines called "Miki" the meaning is Sake. The Miki was instead of actual Sake for voltive offering. The 4 lines called "Yoki" meanings are the soil, the water, the fire and the air, 4 elements. Moreover, the lines have talismanical value while they were working deep side of a mountain. The lines protected them from evil spirits. Old Japanese lumber jacks stand their axe against a tree and pray for the spirit before they cut down the tree because they respected the nature, feeling of awe and safety at work.