差さし金がね

noun

carpenter's square

A traditional L-shaped measuring tool used in carpentry. Also written as 指矩.

See also: 曲尺

• 大だい工くは差さし金がねを使つかって木もく材ざいの直ちょっ角かくを確たしかめた。

  The carpenter used a carpenter's square to check the right angle of the lumber.

noun

instigation; manipulation; behind-the-scenes influence

Implies that someone is secretly pulling strings or orchestrating events. Often used in the phrase 差し金で動く (to act at someone's instigation).

• 彼かれの突とつ然ぜんの辞じ任にんは社しゃ長ちょうの差さし金がねだったらしい。

  His sudden resignation seems to have been at the president's instigation.

• あの事じ件けんの裏うらには誰だれかの差さし金がねがあるに違ちがいない。

  There must be someone's manipulation behind that incident.

noun

prop wire (kabuki)

In kabuki, a thin metal wire used to manipulate prop animals like butterflies or birds on stage.

• 歌か舞ぶ伎きでは、蝶ちょうの小こ道どう具ぐを差さし金がねで操あやつる。

  In kabuki, a prop butterfly is manipulated with a wire.

noun

puppet control rod (bunraku)

In bunraku puppet theater, a rod used to control the arm of a puppet.

• 文ぶん楽らくの人にん形ぎょう遣づかいは差さし金がねで人にん形ぎょうの腕うでを動うごかす。

  The bunraku puppeteer moves the puppet's arm with a control rod.