Guess what this is a photo of!

[YT2095]

wooden incense burner, but you said it`s nothing to do with smoke or fire starting.
is it for making Paint from minerals?
and then maybe to use it as a type of Roller brush/wheel for body art?

 

[YT2095]

OR, how a gunpowder dispenser, for laying a line of black powder in a trail along paper to make Quickmatch fuse, probably Chinese idea/origin.

 

[Featherblu]

YT - it doesn't really 'dispense' anything and it is a very simple tool that has one function. It is Asian in origin, but not Chinese.

 

[Uncle Bob]

A music box.........Yes?

 

[YT2095]

since you said you made it yourself, is it a Musical Instrument?

something you blow into?

 

[Andy M.]

What's the black stuff????

 

[expatgirl]

is it one of those string tools that make sure that something is level and built straight or some other type of marking apparatus?

 

[expatgirl]

The residue looks like charcoal ash or burnt wood ash IMO. BTW, Featherblu, are you actually using this "tool" or does is it used for conversation starters like on this site--

 

[YT2095]

or is it for Line marking?

you pull a string through the charcoal, pull the string tight between 2 points and close to a surface, then you "Twang" the string and the charcoal comes off leaving a line.


edit: nevermind I think that`s what Expat meant before me.

 

[Andy M.]

The residue looks like charcoal ash or burnt wood ash IMO. BTW, Featherblu, are you actually using this "tool" or does is it used for conversation starters like on this site--

He said the black is not ash in a earlier post.

 

[Featherblu]

expatgirl's got it. I did not make this tool - had it a long time and I do use it. It's a Japanese marking tool used like a chalk line. The black in the middle is an ink soaked piece of raw wool and the line is a fine thread of silk. The handle on the left is actually a pin attached to the silk thread. The thread goes through the ink as it is pulled out and - YT's right - TWANG and you have a straight, very fine line. Called a Sumitubo - Your turn expatgirl!

 

[Jeekinz]

Good job, Expat!!!!

 

[Andy M.]

Congrats, expat...

That was a tough one!

 

[keltin]

Holy cow.....it was a chalk line?!?!?!?!? None of mine look that cool!

Nice job Expat, and that was a way cool challenge Featherblu!

 

[Featherblu]

Here's a good link on the Sumitubo - the one I have is a standard design - had it for about 30 years. Like the idea of leaving it with the house when it's built.
Traditional Measuring and Marking Tools - Bamboo Rules, Sumitubo (Japanese Ink Line), Sumisashi (Bamboo Marking Pen)

 

[Jeekinz]

Only problem is, it won't fit in my tool belt.

 

[keltin]

Here's a good link on the Sumitubo - the one I have is a standard design - had it for about 30 years. Like the idea of leaving it with the house when it's built.
Traditional Measuring and Marking Tools - Bamboo Rules, Sumitubo (Japanese Ink Line), Sumisashi (Bamboo Marking Pen)

That is simply awesome! I’ve learned something today, so I guess I can go home now!!

 

[expatgirl]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! I am totally speechless----I was pulling rabbits out of the hat when I posted that guess---I just remembered my hubby doing this when we were first married and impressed with the line that it made. But it looked NOTHING like yours, Featherblu. It made a blue line but it was already chalked before it came out of the measuring tape. Give me a day or two before I can find a picture that you all can guess in 5 secs. Thanks for the high fives!

 

[Jeekinz]

You guys and gals can play with this for the time being.......

 

[Renee Attili]

Does it have an identical opening on the other end? Or is it closed?