Japanese old Axe Head from Hokkaido with the blacksmith's signature.

It is an old axe Head from Hokkaido, Japan. It made in the same way as Japanese sward smithing technique. The meaning of lines are for respect the nature. The 3 lines called "Miki" the meaning is Sake. The Miki was instead of actual Sake for voltive offering. The 4 lines called "Yoki" meanings are the soil, the water, the fire and the air, 4 elements. Moreover, the lines have talismanical value while they were working deep side of a mountain. The lines protected them from evil spirits. Old Japanese lumber jacks stand their axe against a tree and pray for the spirit before they cut down the tree because they respected the nature, feeling of awe and safety at work.