Kitchen knife - Wood, Steel - Japan - 伝統的和柳刃包丁 登録勝弘/大門屋景綱作

Vintage Japanese Yanagiba Knife Set – Signed “Registered Katsuhiro” & “Daimonya Kagezuna” – Traditional Sashimi Knives
ヴィンテージ和柳刃包丁2本セット ― 「登録勝弘」「大門屋景綱作」銘 ― 伝統的な刺身包丁
Offered here is a pair of vintage Japanese Yanagiba knives, both signed and made in the traditional Japanese single-bevel style for slicing fish and sashimi.
This lot brings together two elegant long-bladed wa-bocho with distinct maker’s inscriptions, offering both practical appeal and collector interest.

The set consists of:

Left knife: signed “Registered Katsuhiro” (登録勝弘)
Right knife: signed “Daimonya Kagezuna” (大門屋景綱作)

Both knives have the classic Yanagiba profile: long, narrow blades designed for drawing cuts through fish and sashimi with minimal damage to texture and presentation. Their proportions, traditional octagonal wa-handles, and hand-finished appearance give the lot the unmistakable character of genuine Japanese kitchen knives made for real use rather than display.

Although grouped here as a pair, the two knives each have their own identity and visual presence, making the lot attractive both as a working set and as a small collection of vintage Japanese cutlery from different makers.

Approximate dimensions
Left knife – “Registered Katsuhiro”
Overall length: approx. 39 cm
Blade length: approx. 24 cm
Right knife – “Daimonya Kagezuna”
Overall length: approx. 39 cm
Blade length: approx. 24 cm

Measurements are approximate and taken from the photograph.

Features and appeal

This lot is appealing for several reasons:

Both knives are signed, giving the set a stronger identity and greater interest than anonymous vintage kitchen knives.
The pair presents a pleasing and coherent example of the traditional Japanese Yanagiba form, one of the most iconic blade styles in Japanese culinary culture.
Their long, slender blade geometry reflects the purpose of Yanagiba knives: precise slicing of sashimi and fish by means of a clean pulling cut.
The knives retain the honest appearance of vintage working tools, with age and use visible rather than concealed by heavy restoration.
For collectors, the combination of two different signed examples in a single lot offers a useful comparative set; for users, the knives remain attractive as traditional Japanese blades for restoration and further maintenance.

Rather than decorative reproductions, these are old Japanese kitchen knives with a practical, workmanlike presence. They are best appreciated by buyers who value the material history and craftsmanship of traditional wa-bocho.

Condition

These are vintage used knives and show age-related wear consistent with use and long-term storage.

Visible condition points include:

dirt and staining from age
rust / oxidation
scratches and scuffs from use
general signs of wear and handling

The knives are sold as found / as is. They have not been restored to a cosmetic “like new” condition.

Please bid only if you fully understand and accept the nature of old Japanese knives. These pieces are recommended for buyers who are capable of carrying out their own cleaning, rust removal, sharpening, and maintenance, or for collectors who appreciate vintage Japanese kitchen knives in honest used condition.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an essential part of the description and condition report.

A well-matched and characterful pair of signed vintage Japanese Yanagiba knives, suitable for collectors, chefs, and enthusiasts of traditional Japanese cutlery.
■ 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 full intention to complete payment if you win. 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 photos before bidding. photos form an important part of the description.
please also understand that some defects or imperfections may not be visible in photographs. hidden or non-visible flaws may exist.
in addition, the condition of the item may change during transport due to vibration, impact, temperature, humidity, or handling.
therefore, items are sold strictly for buyers who have knowledge and ability to perform cleaning, sharpening, restoration, or repair if necessary. this lot is not suitable for buyers expecting fully restored or ready-to-use items without maintenance.
all measurements are approximate.

● important notice regarding traditional japanese knife handles
traditional japanese kitchen knives (wa-bocho) use replaceable wooden handles. handles are consumable parts and may require repair or replacement due to age, drying, shrinkage, cracking, looseness, or transport stress. replacement parts are not included.

● shipping restrictions - knives
due to uk law, we do not ship knives to the united kingdom. due to strict regulations, we also do not ship knives to denmark. shipments to other countries may also be restricted depending on local laws. bids from restricted countries will be cancelled.

● international shipping - customs
import rules for knives vary by country. buyer confirms legality of import. seller ships from japan with accurate customs declarations. customs delays, inspections, confiscations, taxes, or import issues are outside seller control.

● countries we do not ship to
we do not ship to the united states. we also temporarily do not ship to portugal due to logistics instability. bids from these countries will be cancelled.

● international situation - shipping limitations
due to global conditions, sanctions, transport restrictions, or postal issues, shipping may become impossible to certain countries. in such cases, orders may be cancelled.

● important notice for italy
delivery to italy may take one month or longer due to customs and postal delays. please bid only if you accept this.

● no combined shipping
each item will be shipped separately even if multiple items are purchased.

● shipping method and delivery time
all items are shipped from japan via japan post. estimated delivery time is 3?4 weeks. delivery time is not guaranteed.

● import duties and taxes (EU buyers)
import duties, VAT, and other taxes are not included. buyer is responsible for all charges.

● customs contact and buyer responsibility
buyer must respond to customs requests promptly. failure may result in delay, return, confiscation, or destruction of parcel.

● returned parcels
if returned due to customs refusal or non-response, reshipping requires double shipping cost.

● force majeure
seller is not responsible for delays or failures caused by war, sanctions, disasters, postal suspension, or other force majeure events.

● agreement
by placing a bid, you confirm you have read and accepted all conditions and understand the item may contain non-visible defects and may require cleaning, sharpening, restoration, or repair.