sōainomi 相間鑿

A large carving tool which is used to shave away large areas of a woodblock *hangi 版木 used to make a woodblock print *ukiyo-e 浮世絵. Sōainomi blades are divided into two groups, those which are circular and those which are not. Non-circular blades are called *nomi 鑿 and circular ones are known as *marunomi 丸鑿. The woodblock is cut in a few strokes, an act called sōai 相間. The carver who is able to do this is considered particularly skillful.