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“Gosho-sukashi”Pine-Trimming Tools 御所透かしの用具

Official explanation

Stately pine trees grace the broad lawns of Kyoto Gyoen. The ends of the branches are difficult to reach, so gardeners use special tools to prune them, with sickle or saw blades mounted on the ends of bamboo poles that may extend as much as 4 to 5 meters. This kind of pruning technique is unique to Kyoto Gyoen.

① Used for lifting up an inserting a cut on the underside of the branch.

Read the full explanation

② Used for pulling the branch towards the cutter and cutting branches.

Long-shaft sickle

The long-shaft sickle is a pruning tool that is used only in Kyoto. It has a sharpened blade on both sides, so it can be used for lifting up an inserting a cut on the underside of the branch, and then for pulling the branch towards the cutter and cutting branches.

Long-shaft saw

Pruning saw

A variety of saws are used to cut large branches. The narrow tip of this pruning saw can fit into tight spaces.

The Kyoto Gyoen-style pruning technique has the aesthetic aim of retaining the natural shape of the tree. The main principle of this style of pruning is to be so subtle that people scarcely notice that a tree has been trimmed. The changes are so delicate that the only thing an untrained observer might notice is a small pile of fallen branches or leaves at the base of the tree.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース(観光庁) — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.

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