Recently we've explored shoot boards and planes, and a little earlier, 
there was a discussion of slitting gauges.  While I don't get all 
mystical about Japanese tools, I stumbled across this video today that 
shows a Japanese cabinet maker at work, and both threads are covered in 
the video.  It starts (after the Lowe's commercial) with this fellow 
cutting a board to width using the Japanese cutting gauge.  So quick! 
Not much later, he's shooting the ends of the boards, holding the plane 
at an angle to make a shearing cut.

https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=G_sGwQ3bMv8

Mike in Sacto