Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 伝統的和柳刃包丁 土佐 山清 特製/関孫六/堺武正

Vintage Japanese Yanagiba Knife Set Signed “Tosa Yamakiyo Tokusei / Seki Magoroku / Sakai Takemasa” – Traditional Sashimi Knives – 3 Pieces

A compelling set of three vintage Japanese Yanagiba knives, each signed and reflecting different regional traditions within Japanese kitchen knife craftsmanship.

Yanagiba knives were developed for sashimi and fish preparation, where long, uninterrupted slicing performance is essential. The elegant narrow blade geometry seen in these examples embodies the restrained functional beauty characteristic of traditional Japanese culinary tools.

This lot presents three distinct knives with visible evidence of long-term practical use and aging, giving them the authentic atmosphere increasingly sought after by collectors and experienced users of vintage Japanese cutlery.

Included Knives
Signed “土佐 山清 特製” (Tosa Yamakiyo Tokusei)
The handle retains a partially remaining traditional Tosa cutlery paper label.
This larger Yanagiba has a long and graceful profile associated with classic sashimi knives from the Tosa blade-making tradition, known for practical forged kitchen tools.
Signed “関孫六” (Seki Magoroku)
A refined middle-sized Yanagiba connected to the historic Seki blade-making tradition.
The knife shows balanced proportions and visible sharpening history consistent with genuine long-term kitchen use.

Signed “堺武正” (Sakai Takemasa)
The handle bears markings reading:
“最高名誉賞 総理大臣賞 武正”
(“Highest Honor Award / Prime Minister’s Award / Takemasa”)

A slender and elegant Yanagiba with strong traditional character.
The remaining markings and aged handle contribute significantly to its period atmosphere and collectible appeal.

Approximate Dimensions

(estimated from the measurement scale shown in the photographs)

Left knife total length: approx. 39 cm
Blade length: approx. 24 cm
Center knife total length: approx. 34 cm
Blade length: approx. 20 cm
Right knife total length: approx. 31 cm
Blade length: approx. 18 cm
Condition

These are authentic vintage used knives and are not restored pieces.

Condition includes:

stains and discoloration
rust and oxidation
scratches and sharpening marks
edge chips and blade wear
age-related wear from long-term storage and practical use

The knives are offered in as-found condition.

This lot is recommended for buyers who:

understand vintage Japanese kitchen knives
are capable of cleaning, sharpening, and restoration work
appreciate the authenticity and atmosphere of traditional working tools rather than polished modern reproductions

The photographs form an essential part of the description and should be carefully reviewed before bidding.

A highly atmospheric group of signed Japanese Yanagiba knives that quietly conveys the craftsmanship, practicality, and enduring tradition of Japanese culinary culture.
■ IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE READ BEFORE BIDDING
● NO SHIPPING TO DENMARK
● 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 that you fully intend to complete the purchase and make payment if you win the auction. non-paying bidders cause serious inconvenience and delays. if payment is not completed after repeated reminders from catawiki, the order may be cancelled and handled strictly in accordance with catawiki policies.
● condition of the item
all items are vintage, antique, or pre-owned items unless otherwise stated. signs of age, wear, scratches, stains, or minor imperfections should be expected. please carefully examine all photos and the description before bidding. the photos form an important part of the description. bids based on misunderstanding of the item's condition will not be accepted as grounds for cancellation.
● shipping restrictions - knives
due to uk law and import regulations, we do not ship knives to the united kingdom. knife imports are legally restricted in the uk and shipment is not permitted. due to strict knife regulations and import restrictions, we also do not ship knives to denmark. knife imports exceeding certain blade lengths may be prohibited and subject to confiscation by danish customs. due to local laws and customs regulations, we may also be unable to ship knives to certain other countries. please check your country’s import laws before bidding. bids placed in violation of these restrictions will be cancelled.
● international shipping - knives and customs regulations
the items offered in knife lots are traditional japanese kitchen knives intended strictly for culinary use. please note that import regulations regarding knives and blades vary significantly from country to country. by placing a bid, the buyer confirms that the import of such items is permitted under the laws of their country. the seller ships all items legally from japan and provides accurate customs declarations and invoices describing the items as kitchen knives. however, customs inspections, import restrictions, delays, duties, taxes, or delivery issues caused by customs authorities are outside the seller’s control. in some cases, customs authorities may contact the buyer directly to confirm the intended use of the item or request additional information for clearance. in rare cases where customs regulations prevent delivery, the seller cannot be held responsible for decisions made by the customs authorities of the destination country.
● countries we do not ship to
we currently do not ship to the united states. we also temporarily do not ship to portugal due to ongoing international logistics disruptions caused by the situation in the middle east, which has resulted in returned shipments and unstable delivery conditions. bids from these countries will be cancelled. please do not place a bid if your shipping address is located in any of the above countries.
● international situation - possible shipping limitations
due to the recent deterioration of the security situation in parts of the world, including the middle east, shipping to certain countries or regions may become difficult or temporarily unavailable. if shipment to the buyer’s country or region becomes impossible due to international conditions, transportation restrictions, sanctions, or postal service suspensions, the order may be cancelled even after the auction ends. we appreciate your understanding that such circumstances are beyond the seller’s control.
● important notice for buyers in italy
due to persistent delays with the italian postal service and customs procedures, delivery to italy may take one month or longer. please place a bid only if you fully understand and accept this extended delivery time. once the item has been shipped, delays caused by postal services or customs are completely beyond the seller’s control. complaints or cancellation requests due to slow delivery after shipment will not be accepted.
● no combined shipping
this lot cannot be combined with other items. even if multiple items are purchased from the same seller in this auction, each item will be shipped separately.
● shipping method and delivery time
all items are shipped from japan via japan post and carefully packaged. estimated delivery time is approximately 3-4 weeks, depending on the destination country and customs procedures. delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.
● import duties and taxes (EU buyers)
please note that import duties, VAT, and any other taxes are not included in the item price or shipping cost. for buyers in the european union, your country’s customs authorities may charge import VAT or other fees when the parcel arrives in your country. these charges are determined entirely by the customs authorities of the destination country and are outside the seller’s control. these charges are the buyer’s responsibility. by placing a bid, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these conditions before participating in the auction.
● customs contact and buyer responsibility
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● returned parcels
if a parcel is returned due to: non-response to customs, refusal of delivery, or unpaid import taxes, reshipping will require payment of double the original shipping cost.
● force majeure
the seller shall not be held responsible for delays, shipping interruptions, or cancellations caused by circumstances beyond the seller’s control, including but not limited to: war or political instability, international sanctions, postal service suspensions, customs restrictions, or natural disasters. in such cases, the order may be cancelled if shipment becomes impossible.
● agreement
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