Difference between Japanese and U.S. framing squares. (Sashigane as in the framing square (指矩) is not to be confused with the homophonous sashigane used in the arts (差金), like the one in kabuki which consists of a stick to which things can be attached so that everyone can pretend they are flying, or the intra-arm gadgetry used in bunraku. The metaphorical meaning of sashigane, "manipulating someone, controlling things from behind the scenes", derives from one or both of these, not from carpentry.)