ArgumentAn unusual compass, on which east and west are reversed, provides insight into the dynamics guiding our understanding of artifacts. By examining how such compasses were used in Tokugawa Japan (1600–1868), the benefits they brought, and how users knew how to read them, this article uncovers the cognitive factors that shape our interaction with technology. Building on the methodological approach of thedistributed cognitiontheory, the article claims that reverse compasses allowed the user to conserve cognitive effort, which was particularly advantageous to Tokugawa-period mariners. Moreover, the article shows that even non-professional Tokugawa Japanese had a relatively easy time reading reverse compasses due to similarity between the compasses’ orientation and Tokugawa timekeeping practices. Building on the bodily and cognitive habits they had developed through the practices of keeping time, users could identify and interpret cultural cues embedded in the structure of reverse compasses.

中文翻译：

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日本反向指南针：历史和社会的基础认知

论据一个不寻常的指南针，东西颠倒，提供了对指导我们理解文物的动力学的洞察。通过研究这些指南针在日本德川 (1600-1868) 中的使用方式、它们带来的好处以及用户如何知道如何阅读它们，本文揭示了影响我们与技术互动的认知因素。建立在方法论的基础上分布式认知理论上，该文章声称反向指南针允许用户节省认知努力，这对德川时代的水手特别有利。此外，该文章还表明，即使是非专业的德川日本人，由于指南针的方向与德川的计时做法相似，阅读反向指南针的时间也相对容易。基于他们通过计时练习养成的身体和认知习惯，用户可以识别和解释嵌入在反向罗盘结构中的文化线索。