Important notice for certain EU countries - IOSS shipments under EUR 150 Due to recent changes in EU import procedures, temporary shipping restrictions may apply to IOSS shipments under EUR 150 to the following countries: - Austria - Germany - Finland - France - Belgium - Luxembourg - Portugal Shipping availability may change depending on Japan Post and the destination country's postal procedures. Please consider this possibility before placing a bid. Vintage Japanese Deba and special Aji-kiri kitchen knife set - Sakai Takemori and Tokusei Aritsugu - 2 traditional Japanese knives - Japan Offered here is an attractive set of two vintage Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a traditional Deba knife bearing the inscription "堺武守" (Sakai Takemori) and a special Aji-kiri knife bearing the inscription "特製有次" (Tokusei Aritsugu). These two knives represent different forms of traditional Japanese kitchen cutlery associated with fish preparation. The broad, substantial blade of the Deba contrasts with the compact, pointed blade of the Aji-kiri, creating an interesting pairing for collectors of vintage Japanese culinary tools. Both knives retain traditional wooden handles and Japanese inscriptions. The larger Deba also preserves a distinctive old label on its ferrule referring to Sakai cutlery and a recommendation by a Sakai cutlery industry association. The surviving inscriptions, old product label, traditional blade profiles, and visible signs of age contribute to the collectible character of this set. These are vintage, pre-owned knives offered in their present condition as collectibles and restoration projects rather than fully restored, immediately ready-to-use kitchen utensils. 1. Deba knife - Sakai Takemori The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Deba-style kitchen knife, featuring a broad, substantial blade and a pointed tip. The blade bears the Japanese inscription "堺武守" (Sakai Takemori). The characters "堺" refer to Sakai, a Japanese city historically associated with traditional cutlery production. However, the inscription alone does not independently establish the knife's exact manufacturing location. A particularly interesting feature of this knife is the surviving old label attached to its black ferrule. The label reads: "刃物のふるさと堺 切味優秀 堺刃物組合連合会推奨" This may be translated as: "Sakai, the home of cutlery - Excellent cutting quality - Recommended by the Sakai Cutlery Association Federation." The label is a surviving historical product marking and is reproduced for descriptive purposes. It should not be interpreted as independent verification of the knife's current cutting performance, manufacturing origin, or any currently valid certification. The Deba is one of the traditional Japanese kitchen knife forms associated with fish preparation. Its broad blade and substantial profile distinguish it from the smaller Aji-kiri included in this set. This example retains a traditional wooden handle and a black ferrule. The combination of the broad blade, Japanese inscription, and old Sakai cutlery recommendation label makes this an appealing vintage knife for collectors interested in traditional Japanese culinary craftsmanship. Approximate dimensions: - Overall length: 35 cm - Blade length: 19 cm - Maximum blade width: 5.5 cm 2. Special Aji-kiri knife - Tokusei Aritsugu The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Aji-kiri knife, a compact knife form associated with preparing smaller fish, particularly horse mackerel (aji). The blade bears the Japanese inscription "特製有次" (Tokusei Aritsugu). The term "特製" means "specially made" or "special production", while "有次" is the name appearing in the blade inscription. The wording is reproduced from the knife itself. The exact manufacturer, production period, and historical provenance have not been independently verified. The Aji-kiri is a traditional Japanese kitchen knife associated with cleaning, preparing, and filleting smaller fish. Its compact blade and pointed tip are characteristic of a knife intended for relatively detailed fish-preparation tasks. Compared with the larger Deba, this example has a noticeably narrower and more slender blade profile, creating an attractive contrast between the two traditional Japanese knife designs. The knife retains a wooden Japanese-style handle and a black ferrule. Its Japanese inscription, compact pointed blade, and visible signs of age contribute to its appeal as a vintage Japanese culinary tool. Approximate dimensions: - Overall length: 29 cm - Blade length: 15 cm - Maximum blade width: 3 cm Condition and restoration requirements Both knives are vintage, pre-owned items showing signs of age, previous use, and long-term storage. Their condition includes: - Rust, oxidation, and surface discoloration - Dirt, stains, and accumulated grime - Scratches, rubbing marks, and surface abrasions - General wear and age-related deterioration - Chipping and irregularities along the cutting edges - Chips and deterioration around the blade tips - Dirt, scratches, chips, and wear around the ferrules - Dirt, scratches, wear, and other age-related imperfections on the wooden handles - Possible age-related wear and deterioration of the old label on the larger Deba Please carefully examine the cutting edges, blade tips, ferrules, wooden handles, and surviving label in the photographs. The old label on the larger Deba is part of the knife's surviving vintage appearance and may show age-related wear or deterioration. These knives are not offered as professionally restored, fully serviced, or immediately ready for kitchen use. Cleaning, sharpening, repair, restoration, and possibly adjustment, reattachment, or replacement of the wooden handles may be necessary. Please understand that additional defects, hidden damage, internal corrosion, looseness, structural deterioration, or other imperfections that cannot be identified from the photographs may exist. The exact steel composition, manufacturing dates, and historical provenance of these knives have not been independently verified. All dimensions are approximate estimates based on the photographs. Please carefully examine every photograph before bidding. The photographs form an essential part of the item description. Collector appeal This set brings together two different but complementary forms of traditional Japanese fish-preparation knives. The larger Sakai Takemori Deba is particularly interesting for its broad blade, Japanese inscription, and surviving old Sakai cutlery recommendation label. The special Tokusei Aritsugu Aji-kiri adds a contrasting compact blade design and another distinctive Japanese inscription. Together, these two knives offer an opportunity to acquire vintage Japanese culinary tools with individual character, traditional blade forms, and surviving historical markings. They may be of particular interest to collectors of Japanese kitchen knives, enthusiasts of traditional Japanese culinary craftsmanship, and experienced restorers who appreciate the preservation of vintage tools. Both knives are offered primarily as collectible and restoration items rather than maintenance-free kitchen equipment. Important: Bidding is strictly limited to buyers who personally possess the necessary knowledge, experience, practical skills, and ability to perform cleaning, sharpening, repair, and restoration themselves. Buyers who cannot carry out such work independently should refrain from bidding. Important notice - Please read before bidding No shipping to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States (USA). Bidding and payment Please do not place a bid if you do not intend to complete the purchase and make payment. By placing a bid, you confirm your intention to complete payment if you win the auction. Non-paying bidders cause serious delays. If payment is not completed after reminders from Catawiki, the order may be cancelled under Catawiki policy. Condition of the item All items are vintage, antique, or pre-owned unless stated otherwise. Signs of age, wear, scratches, stains, rust, oxidation, patina, repairs, sharpening marks, and other imperfections should be expected. Please carefully examine all photographs before bidding. Photographs form an essential part of the item description. Please understand that some defects, deterioration, or imperfections may not be visible in photographs. Hidden or non-visible flaws may exist. Furthermore, the condition of vintage items may change during international transportation due to vibration, impact, temperature fluctuations, humidity, or handling. Important: Bidding is strictly limited to buyers who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and practical ability to personally perform repair, restoration, sharpening, and cleaning as required. Buyers must be capable of carrying out such maintenance and restoration themselves. These items are not intended for buyers who expect fully restored, maintenance-free, or immediately ready-to-use products. Please do not bid unless you fully understand and accept these conditions. All measurements are approximate. Important notice regarding traditional Japanese knife handles Traditional Japanese kitchen knives (wa-bocho) generally use replaceable wooden handles. Wooden handles are consumable components and may experience drying, shrinkage, cracking, looseness, deterioration, or detachment due to age, storage conditions, or stress during international transportation. Even if a handle is firmly attached before shipment, its condition may change during transit. Buyers must understand that wooden handles may require reattachment, adjustment, repair, or complete replacement. Bidding is limited to buyers who understand these characteristics and have the knowledge and practical ability to perform necessary handle repairs or replacements themselves. Replacement handles and repair materials are not included unless specifically stated. Shipping restrictions - Knives Due to applicable knife shipping and delivery restrictions, we do not ship knives to the United Kingdom or Denmark. Shipments to other countries may also be restricted depending on local laws, customs regulations, or available postal services. Orders to destinations where lawful and compliant delivery cannot be arranged may need to be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki policy. International shipping and customs Import regulations for kitchen knives vary by country. Buyers are responsible for checking whether the items can legally be imported into their country before bidding. The seller ships from Japan with accurate customs declarations. Customs delays, inspections, import taxes, and clearance requirements are outside the seller's direct control. Buyers must cooperate with the relevant customs authorities and shipping carriers when required. Countries we do not ship to We do not ship to the United States at this time due to ongoing international shipping restrictions and related logistical difficulties. Shipping to the United States remains temporarily suspended. Orders from destinations where shipping is restricted may need to be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki policy. International situation and shipping limitations Due to global conditions, sanctions, transportation restrictions, changes in customs regulations, or postal service disruptions, shipping to certain countries may become impossible. If shipment cannot be arranged legally or through an available shipping service, the order may need to be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki policy. Important notice for Italy Delivery to Italy may take one month or longer due to customs procedures and postal delays. Please place a bid only if you understand and accept the possibility of extended delivery times. No combined shipping Each item will normally be shipped separately, even if multiple items are purchased. Please contact us before bidding if you wish to discuss any special shipping arrangements. Combined shipping is not guaranteed. Shipping method and delivery time All kitchen knives are shipped from Japan via Japan Post or DHL. Estimated delivery time is approximately 3-4 weeks, depending on the destination, customs procedures, and local delivery conditions. Delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Import duties and taxes (EU buyers) Import duties, VAT, customs clearance fees, and other applicable charges may be imposed depending on the destination country and the applicable tax collection arrangements. Any amounts not collected at checkout may be payable by the buyer upon importation. Buyers are responsible for checking and complying with the applicable import requirements. Customs contact and buyer responsibility Buyers must respond promptly to requests from customs authorities, postal operators, or shipping carriers. Failure to provide necessary documents, complete customs procedures, or pay applicable import charges may result in delays, return, confiscation, or disposal of the parcel. Buyers are expected to cooperate fully with customs clearance procedures. Returned parcels If a parcel is returned because the buyer refuses delivery, fails to complete customs clearance, does not respond to customs requests, or fails to pay applicable import charges, any request for reshipment will be considered individually. Reshipment may require payment of additional shipping and handling costs, including costs arising from the original return. Any refund, cancellation, or reshipment will be handled in accordance with Catawiki policy and applicable law. Force majeure The seller cannot control delays or disruptions caused by war, sanctions, natural disasters, postal suspensions, customs restrictions, or other circumstances beyond reasonable control. Such situations will be handled in accordance with Catawiki policy and applicable law. Important agreement - Acceptance of all listing conditions By placing a bid, you confirm that you have carefully read, fully understood, and accepted the entire item description, all photographs, condition disclosures, shipping restrictions, and every important notice stated in this listing, subject to applicable Catawiki policies and mandatory consumer protection laws. You also confirm that you understand the nature of vintage and antique items, including the possibility of age-related deterioration, non-visible defects, and the need for cleaning, sharpening, restoration, or repair. You further confirm that you possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and practical ability to perform such maintenance or restoration yourself when required. For traditional Japanese knives, this includes understanding that wooden handles are replaceable consumable parts and may require adjustment, reattachment, repair, or replacement. Please do not place a bid if you do not fully understand or accept these conditions. These conditions apply subject to Catawiki's applicable policies and any mandatory consumer protection laws.