Thanks!

Here's another little mystery to unravel -

Oh I didn't confuse it :) It's why I said this:

the best way I can help is to tell you the things it's not used for - like wrestling for example...

although I probably should have used the word "in" not "for" at the end. (I had to bold the not because italics doesn't work in quotes)

Gary got my allusion I think (which was the finishing move (the seated senton I believe) of a wrestler called Yokozuna during which he would yell banzai). And Ed did perform the finishing manoeuvre to my dominion over the thread...

Bonsai could be described as a form of slow wrestle, or at a least a gentle tussle with the natural growth of a tree, couldn't it...? :)

denotes peace and tranquility

Which I thoroughly endorse! :)

But that is Bonsai, not Banzai. The word bonsai, when translated from the Japanese, becomes "bon," a low-sided pot or tray, and "sai," a planting. Let us not confuse bonsai, as we often do, with "banzai," the word shouted by Japanese soldiers as they launched their suicide attacks on allied emplacements in World War II. One pronunciation denotes peace and tranquility, the other havoc and death.

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YES! :)

And here it is in use...



I am now going to PM you to tell you you're the winner, Ed - because you are.

Well done!

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oh...and did we say we like humans too? Well we do :)

banzai! Banzai! BANZAI!

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Ok.. two hooks with an adjustable foot in between, so it's some kind of bender. Used by the Japanese in some correctional fashion and designed for something 2-5cm in diameter. No fur or leather so idea #1 is out. It's too heavy to be a sushi alignment tool. Is it a bonsai bender, for larger-than-average branches?

For foot binding? ouch!

No. It isn't used for that, Carlos - it's just that's what pops into my head when I think about the goal the tool user has in mind. It's how my brain works when it's not performing other functions so feel free to ignore it like I do

As far as I can tell he should only be somewhat close.

What Gary said is probably what I should have said, yes.

*droop eyelids to half-mast*

To be honest, I wish I had said it now...

This --- v

Two letters in English would be different and they would be entirely different in Hiragana, Katakana or kanji.

googled, people - whilst interesting - might leave you needing a lie down in a darkened room.

When I first came across the tool, my initial thought was that it was an aid to elevating one's nose without the need for a winch. It's what attracted me to it in the first place to be honest. I thought it could be adjusted to fit quite comfortably over the ears (the red stuff is supposed to have a sort of cushioning effect apparently) but I was considerably disappointed to discover I was barking up the wrong tree entirely and that it had nothing to do with noses at all :(

Quite how to impart a clue without giving too much away I'm not sure though... while I think about it, perhaps the best way I can help is to tell you the things it's not used for - like wrestling for example...

Hmm, I feel like breaking out in an old Japanese battle cry :-)

*start handing out earmuffs - just in case*

Yes, Tut, you're not wrong :) Although its roots are even older than that and from elsewhere too, although whenever I think of that, I think of feet :/

As far as I can tell he should only be somewhat close. Two letters in English would be different and they would be entirely different in Hiragana, Katakana or kanji.

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For foot binding? ouch!

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The center red hook is asymmetric.. is that important?

I think it might just be a trick of the light, Ed. Other pictures of it don't seem to give that impression.

Asymmetry is a very good word. From what I can gather, this tool can be very useful in achieving it :)

Hmm, I feel like breaking out in an old Japanese battle cry :-)

*start handing out earmuffs - just in case*

Yes, Tut, you're not wrong :) Although its roots are even older than that and from elsewhere too, although whenever I think of that, I think of feet :/

I might have to pop in with a clue later I think. I will see how you all get on in the meantime :)

edited for random apostrophe litter just in case David comes in...

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oh...and did we say we like humans too? Well we do :)

Hmm, I feel like breaking out in an old Japanese battle cry :-)

Annie, this is a good one!

The center red hook is asymmetric.. is that important?

Nice tool, obscure use. A normal person would not use a lot of them.

Yes, they wouldn't, no :)

my little toe that was dislocated last week when the dresser jumped out if front of it.

Y-e-e-e-s... right-angled toes aren't standard issue are they... You're lucky it was just the dresser to be honest. I find once one of them scores from a lunge, others have a tendency to gang up in quick succession.

Looking at that tool it looks like it is for correcting dislocations!

Well, in the eyes of the one using it, it is used as a correctional device, yes.

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oh...and did we say we like humans too? Well we do :)

PM as soon as the poor fingers will type it.

*peer sympathetically at Gary's fingers* What's wrong with them? Have we been working them too hard? :)

No that would be my little toe that was dislocated last week when the dresser jumped out if front of it.

Looking at that tool it looks like it is for correcting dislocations!

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Nice tool, obscure use. A normal person would not use a lot of them.

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PM as soon as the poor fingers will type it.

*peer sympathetically at Gary's fingers* What's wrong with them? Have we been working them too hard? :)

Okay everyone. I hope this has not been posted before. I also hope it doesn't get solved faster than it took me to choose it, but with so many expert toolheads here, I won't hold my breath on that last one

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oh...and did we say we like humans too? Well we do :)

And we have a bingo.
http://www.woehler.de/shop/us/rp-72-smoke-test-pump.html
PM as soon as the poor fingers will type it.

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I got interrupted by some hungry people, people. It's alright... I do know them, it's just *scowl* they expect to eat several times a day...

where are we...?

*peruse thread babblings*

hmmm... this time I WILL be back shortly :)

edit: I think I've got it

smoke test pump with non-centred soot spot (allegedly) for shoving up flues?

Ohhh... fluuuuues.... I get that too now :)

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oh...and did we say we like humans too? Well we do :)

I've said before not a medical device.

That seems to be an exhaustive idea though.

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Sometimes influenza includes gastro-intestinal upset.. is this a medical device for collecting stool samples, ie, sampling one's "exhaust" for flu?