| Author | Message | ||
     Christina Steel |
I am trying to find out the name of a historical Japanese item. It was a > tube shaped box and was used to carry writing materials (ink and > brushes) on your person as opposed to the square boxes that were used > at home. If anyone can help me name this item, please contact me > directly. | ||
| info |
Welcome to our Japanese forums, Christina. Its name is "Yatate", literally arrow-stand and extensively it was used by Japanese as a practical writing tool during trips or wars. Initially a slender slate to make ink ranged into a slender box, it transformed to a small inkpot with an attached brush during Edo period. But I don't know the etymology of this strange word: maybe because of its arrow-like form or it was arranged initially in the same basket as arrows. Anyways, Yatate is written in Japanese characters as:  Kind regards, |