21 : Reverse-card Marine Compass
- 山内 真一
- 8月26日
- 読了時間: 1分
更新日：9月13日
Marine compass with a counterclockwise compass card inscribed with traditional Japanese numerals; hence the local name “reverse-needle” compass.
Traditional Numerals on the Dial
On this compass the directional markers are not Western numerals but the twelve signs of the traditional Japanese zodiac (Jūnishi, collectively known as eto). In directional use, Ne (Rat) denotes north, and the sequence proceeds counterclockwise around the compass card.
Set with Uma (Horse) facing the bow, the reverse-card compass lets you read the vessel’s heading at a glance as the animal sign (direction) indicated by the needle.
Twelve signs and directions
(Ne, Rat) — North
(Ushi, Ox) — NNE
(Tora, Tiger) — NE
(U, Hare/Rabbit) — East
(Tatsu, Dragon — a mythical creature) — ESE
(Mi, Snake) — SE
(Uma, Horse) — South
(Hitsuji, Goat/Sheep) — SSW
(Saru, Monkey) — SW
(Tori, Rooster) — West
(Inu, Dog) — WNW
(I, Boar/Wild Boar) — NNW