There is a variety of winnowing machines inscribed with the date of
production.
Hiroshi Osaka has already reported that they are classified into two
groups, one found in the western part of Japan, the other in the eastern.
As we have acquired new data and the study has progressed, more detailed
classification is required.
In this paper, I attempt classify winnowing machines into five
groups by differences in construction of the supports axles. The shape
of the supports is as follows;
1) The poles which are kept in a vertical position
2) The poles which are kept in a vertical position and put on the
ground
3) The short poles which are kept in a horizontal position
4) The short poles which are kept in a vertical position
5) The cross poles
For this classification, I have particulaly studied winnowing
machines which have inscriptions of the Edo and Meiji eras. It becomes
clear that there exist not only regional differences but also distinctive
skills and styles of the makers.