oga 大鋸

Also pronounced ōga. A ripsaw thought to have been introduced to Japan from China at the beginning of the 15th century. Until that time Japanese carpenters had used a chisel and wedge to cut wood. In old illustrations the oga is shown with an extremely long blade, and two workmen on either end sawing together. There is a division in the center of the blade and the teeth on each half point in opposite directions so that both workmen saw with a pulling action allowing the blade to cut with each pull.