Μαχαίρι κουζίνας - Χάλυβας, Ξύλο - Ιαπωνία - Ιαπωνίας κατασκευής, παραδοσιακό ιαπωνικό μαχαίρι με λεπτή λάμα (usuba) / Deba-bochō, ειδικής

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, and Portugal.

Shipping availability may change depending on Japan Post and the destination country's postal procedures.

Please consider this possibility before placing a bid.

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Vintage Japanese Usuba and Deba Kitchen Knife Set – "特製藤吉郎作" (Specially Made by Tōkichirō) / "東九郎" (Tōkurō) – Two Traditional Japanese Knives

Country of origin: Japan
Number of knives: 2
Types: Usuba and Deba
Blade material: Steel (exact composition unverified)
Handle material: Wood
Condition: Vintage, pre-owned, with age-related wear, damage, and evidence of repair

Product description

Offered for auction is a distinctive set of two traditional Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of an Usuba vegetable knife bearing the inscription "特製藤吉郎作" and a Deba knife bearing the inscription "東九郎".

Both knives feature traditional Japanese blade profiles, wooden handles, and metal ferrules, displaying the characteristic appearance of vintage Japanese kitchen cutlery.

The Usuba is recognized by its broad, rectangular blade, traditionally associated with precise vegetable preparation.

The Deba features a wider blade with a pointed tip, a traditional Japanese form commonly associated with fish preparation.

An especially interesting detail is the surviving Japanese branding on the Deba's wooden handle, where the characters "東九郎" can be identified in a burned-in marking. The lower portion of the marking is no longer clearly legible.

Both knives show visible age-related wear, and the Usuba has a previously repaired area around its ferrule. These condition details should be carefully considered before bidding.

1. Usuba knife – "特製藤吉郎作" (Specially Made by Tōkichirō)

The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Usuba vegetable knife.

Its broad, rectangular blade and relatively straight cutting edge are characteristic of this traditional Japanese knife style, associated with controlled and precise vegetable cutting.

The blade bears the Japanese inscription:

"特製藤吉郎作"

This may be translated as "Specially Made by Tōkichirō".

The inscription is reproduced as marked on the blade. The identity of the original maker and the precise manufacturing period have not been independently verified.

The blade retains a traditional rectangular profile with a gently rounded upper corner.

Its surface displays age-related discoloration, rust, oxidation, scratches, rubbing marks, and wear.

There are chips and irregularities along the cutting edge, and the tip area may also show damage.

The knife has a traditional wooden handle and a metal ferrule.

**Important condition detail: The ferrule area of this Usuba knife shows visible evidence of a previous repair.**

The repaired area has not been disassembled or tested, and its structural condition and long-term durability cannot be guaranteed.

The ferrule also shows dirt, scratches, chips, dents, misalignment, and other age-related imperfections.

The wooden handle has dirt, scratches, and wear.

This knife is offered as a vintage item that may require further maintenance, sharpening, repair, or restoration.

Approximate dimensions:

Overall length: 29 cm
Blade length: 16 cm
Maximum blade width: 5.0 cm

2. Deba knife – "東九郎" (Tōkurō)

The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Deba knife.

Its broad blade, pointed tip, and gently curved cutting edge are characteristic of the Deba style, traditionally associated with fish preparation.

The blade bears the Japanese inscription:

"東九郎"

This may be read as "Tōkurō".

The exact maker, manufacturing date, and provenance have not been independently verified.

An especially interesting feature is the burned-in Japanese marking on the wooden handle.

The upper portion of this marking reads:

"東九郎"

Additional characters are present below, but they cannot be confidently deciphered.

This surviving marking contributes to the knife's historical character and may be of interest to collectors of traditional Japanese kitchen tools.

The knife retains a wooden handle and a silver-colored metal ferrule.

The blade exhibits rust, oxidation, discoloration, scratches, rubbing marks, and age-related surface wear.

There are chips and irregularities along the cutting edge, and the pointed tip shows signs of wear or damage.

The ferrule shows dirt, scratches, chips, dents, and possible misalignment.

The wooden handle exhibits dirt, scratches, and general age-related deterioration.

The traditional Deba profile, surviving blade inscription, and burned-in handle marking make this knife an interesting example of vintage Japanese culinary cutlery.

Approximate dimensions:

Overall length: 28 cm
Blade length: 15 cm
Maximum blade width: 4.4 cm

All measurements are approximate estimates based on the photographs and have not been physically verified.

The exact manufacturing dates, makers, provenance, and steel compositions of these knives have not been independently established.

3. Condition and restoration requirements

Both knives are vintage, previously used Japanese kitchen knives and show visible signs of age, use, and storage.

Their condition includes rust, oxidation, dirt, scratches, rubbing marks, surface discoloration, and general wear.

There are chips and irregularities along the cutting edges, and damage to the tip areas.

The metal ferrules show age-related dirt, scratches, chips, dents, misalignment, and other imperfections.

The wooden handles show dirt, scratches, wear, and deterioration.

The Usuba knife has a visible previous repair around the ferrule. This repair should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the handle or ferrule is structurally sound.

The Deba retains a partially legible burned-in marking on its wooden handle.

The blades and handles have not been fully disassembled or internally inspected.

Both knives require sharpening before use. Cleaning, rust removal, repair, restoration, handle adjustment, or replacement of components may also be necessary.

Hidden defects may exist, including damage to the tangs, internal corrosion, weakened handle fittings, or other problems not visible in the photographs.

Please examine all photographs carefully, particularly the cutting edges, blade tips, inscriptions, ferrules, repaired area, and wooden handles.

The photographs form an essential part of the item description.

4. Collector appeal

This set combines two distinctive forms of traditional Japanese kitchen knives.

The Usuba, marked "特製藤吉郎作", represents the broad-bladed vegetable knife associated with traditional Japanese culinary techniques.

The Deba, marked "東九郎", represents a traditional fish-preparation knife and retains a matching burned-in name on its wooden handle.

The surviving inscriptions, traditional blade shapes, wooden handles, and evidence of previous use provide interesting details for collectors of Japanese cutlery.

The repaired ferrule on the Usuba is a disclosed condition issue and should be carefully assessed by prospective buyers.

These knives may appeal to experienced collectors and restoration enthusiasts interested in preserving and maintaining traditional Japanese kitchen tools.

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Important notice – Please read carefully before bidding

No shipping to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States (USA).

Bidding and payment

Please do not place a bid unless you genuinely intend to complete the purchase and payment.

By placing a bid, you confirm your intention to pay for the item if you win the auction.

Failure to complete payment may result in cancellation in accordance with Catawiki's policies.

Condition of vintage items

All knives are vintage, previously used items, sold in their present condition.

They may have rust, corrosion, scratches, chips, worn cutting edges, damaged tips, surface discoloration, deteriorated wooden handles, and damaged, loose, repaired, or misaligned ferrules.

Please note that defects which cannot be identified from the photographs may also exist.

These may include hidden corrosion, cracks, looseness, damage to the tangs, deterioration inside the wooden handles, or other structural problems.

The blades and handles have not been fully disassembled or internally inspected.

The knives are not guaranteed to be safe or ready for immediate use.

Cleaning, sharpening, repair, restoration, adjustment, or replacement of components may be required.

Important requirements for bidders

Please bid only if you personally possess the necessary knowledge, experience, practical skills, and ability to carry out cleaning, sharpening, repair, and restoration yourself.

Buyers must be capable of performing these tasks themselves when necessary.

If you do not have the practical ability to repair, restore, sharpen, and maintain vintage Japanese kitchen knives yourself, please refrain from bidding.

These knives are not intended for buyers who expect fully restored, maintenance-free, or immediately ready-to-use kitchen knives.

Please examine every photograph carefully before bidding.

The photographs form an essential part of the item description, and the condition must be evaluated with full consideration of the knives' age and previous use.

Important notice regarding wooden handles

Traditional Japanese kitchen knives commonly feature replaceable wooden handles.

Wooden handles may become dry, loose, cracked, weakened, or damaged through age, storage, previous use, or international transportation.

Ferrules may also become loose, damaged, repaired, or misaligned.

Even when a handle appears securely attached before shipment, its condition may change during transportation.

The buyer must understand that handle adjustment, reattachment, repair, or complete replacement may be necessary.

The Usuba knife in this lot has a visible previous repair around its ferrule. The durability and structural integrity of this repair have not been verified.

Only buyers with the knowledge and practical ability to carry out such work themselves should bid.

Replacement handles and repair materials are not included unless specifically stated.

Shipping restrictions

All kitchen knives are shipped from Japan via Japan Post or DHL.

We do not ship kitchen knives to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States.

Shipping to other countries may also be restricted depending on local laws, customs regulations, international postal procedures, and the availability of suitable shipping services.

If lawful and compliant shipping cannot be arranged, cancellation may be necessary in accordance with Catawiki's policies.

International shipping and customs

Buyers are responsible for confirming that the importation of kitchen knives is permitted in their destination country before placing a bid.

Customs clearance requirements vary by country.

Buyers must cooperate with customs authorities, postal operators, and delivery companies when additional information, documentation, or payment is required.

Import duties, VAT, and customs clearance fees not already collected at checkout may be payable by the buyer.

The seller cannot directly control customs inspections, import procedures, or delays caused by destination-country authorities.

Shipping availability may change due to international circumstances, changes in import regulations, postal restrictions, or transportation disruptions.

Delivery times

Estimated international delivery time is approximately three to four weeks, depending on the destination and customs procedures.

Delivery times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that delivery to Italy may take one month or longer because of customs processing and postal delays.

Combined shipping

Due to the nature of kitchen knives and the importance of smooth international customs handling, each order is normally shipped separately.

Combined shipping is not offered as a standard service.

Returned parcels and reshipping

If a parcel is returned because the buyer refuses delivery, fails to complete customs clearance, does not provide requested documentation, does not pay applicable import charges, or fails to collect the parcel, reshipping will be considered individually.

Any reshipment must be agreed upon in advance.

Additional reshipping costs are normally the buyer's responsibility, subject to Catawiki's policies and applicable law.

Refunds, cancellations, and other remedies will be handled in accordance with Catawiki's policies and applicable law.

International circumstances and force majeure

International conflicts, sanctions, natural disasters, customs restrictions, postal suspensions, and other circumstances beyond the seller's reasonable control may affect the ability to ship or deliver an item.

If shipping becomes impossible, the situation will be handled in accordance with Catawiki's policies and applicable law.

Final confirmation before bidding

By placing a bid, you acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed and understood the complete product description, all photographs, disclosed defects, shipping restrictions, and important notices.

You understand that these are vintage, previously used knives which may require cleaning, sharpening, repair, restoration, or replacement of components.

You also acknowledge that additional defects not visible in photographs may exist.

Please bid only if you personally have the knowledge, experience, and practical ability to perform the necessary cleaning, sharpening, repairs, and restoration yourself.

If you cannot perform these tasks yourself, please refrain from bidding.

These notices do not exclude or limit any mandatory rights provided under applicable law or Catawiki's policies.

JAPAN-E-STORE