Until the late-19th century, Japanese architecture concentrated exclusively on wooden construction, producing remarkable variations in style and beauty in form. Japan's unique way of working with wood owed much to the highly developed techniques and excellent skills of its carpenters. And their very specialized carpentry tools also undoubtedly played a large role in the evolution and perfection of the architectural style.

These tools, however, especially the best one, to be use until their blades were completely worn out by constant sharpening and re-sharpening. Such use has made the preservation of tools extremely difficult. Equally regrettable is that modern technology brought mechanization and electrification to carpentry, causing such traditional tools to be used less and less.

The Museum has two main purpose: firstly, to collect and preserve excellent tools from the past; secondly, researching and exhibiting these special tools, to convey to future generations the spirit and attitudes of traditional Japanese carpenters and blacksmiths. By permanently undertaking these activities, the Museum will continue to contribute to the preservation and the further development of Japanese architecture.