Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan
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Description from the seller
Set of 3 Vintage Japanese Kitchen Knives – Traditional Wa-Bocho – 2 Signed Blades – Restoration / Maintenance Project – Japan
Item Description
A characterful set of three vintage Japanese kitchen knives (Wa-bocho), each featuring a traditional Japanese-style wooden handle and a distinctly aged blade.
Two of the three knives have engraved/stamped inscriptions (mei) visible on the blades, while the remaining knife does not appear to have a visible inscription. Please refer carefully to the photographs for the inscriptions, blade shapes, construction, and overall condition.
The three knives have different blade profiles, including one particularly long and slender blade. Their aged surfaces, traditional handles, and individual signs of use give the set an authentic vintage character and make it an interesting group for collectors and enthusiasts of traditional Japanese cutlery.
As these are vintage used knives, they show substantial signs of age and use, including oxidation, patina, discoloration, scratches, stains, wear, and deterioration to the blades and handles. One blade in particular shows noticeable roughness/deterioration along part of the cutting edge. The handles also show age-related wear and surface damage.
These knives are therefore offered primarily for someone who enjoys maintaining, sharpening, restoring, or preserving vintage Japanese knives. Cleaning, sharpening, rust treatment, handle maintenance, or other restoration may be required before practical use. Their current sharpness and suitability for immediate kitchen use are not guaranteed.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Size
Set of 3 knives.
Please refer to the photograph showing the knives alongside a measuring tape for the approximate dimensions of each knife.
Measurements taken from photographs are approximate; please allow for slight measurement differences.
Weight
Artist / Maker Profile
Two of the three blades bear engraved/stamped Japanese inscriptions (mei).
One blade has no visible inscription.
The individual makers have not been conclusively identified from the available information.
Shipping Information
Shipped from Japan with a tracking number.
YuDesign normally uses Japan Post for delivery; however, depending on the destination country and the international postal situation, we will use Japan Post, Japan Post UGX, DHL, or Yamato Transport (UPS).
As of July 24, 2026, Japan Post has temporarily suspended acceptance of some IOSS shipments. Therefore, alternative delivery services such as Japan Post UGX or Yamato Transport (UPS) may be used when necessary.
As a result, shipping costs to some countries may be set slightly higher than usual in order to maintain reliable delivery. Thank you for your understanding.
The usual estimated delivery time is approximately 1–2 weeks, although this may vary depending on customs clearance and local delivery conditions.
Any import duties, VAT, customs clearance fees, or other charges incurred are the responsibility of the buyer.
The item will be carefully packed to ensure safe delivery. To help protect the environment, recycled cardboard boxes and reused packing materials may be used.
When safety can be ensured, lightweight packaging may also be used to reduce shipping costs.
Due to the impact on international postal services in the Middle East, Japan Post shipments to Cyprus are currently suspended. Therefore, shipments to Cyprus will be made exclusively by DHL or Yamato Transport (UPS).
Please refer to the shipping rate table for each country.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Seller's Story
At Yu Design, we curate not only fine art and traditional crafts, but a wide range of items that reflect the living spirit of Japanese culture.
From tea ceremony utensils and cast iron works to ceramics, dolls and vintage toys, each piece is carefully selected as a fragment of Japan’s diverse cultural landscape.
Yu Design is not just about selling objects.
It is about sharing the stories, history, and cultural background behind them — introducing Japan itself to the world.
Yu Design is owned and curated by Yuki Kuwahara, based in Japan.
She also runs a YouTube channel introducing Japanese history, with a particular focus on figures from the late Edo and early Meiji periods, reflecting her deep interest in Japan’s cultural and historical heritage.
All items are carefully inspected and securely shipped worldwide via Japan Post EMS.
Clear communication and professional packaging are always a priority.
Set of 3 Vintage Japanese Kitchen Knives – Traditional Wa-Bocho – 2 Signed Blades – Restoration / Maintenance Project – Japan
Item Description
A characterful set of three vintage Japanese kitchen knives (Wa-bocho), each featuring a traditional Japanese-style wooden handle and a distinctly aged blade.
Two of the three knives have engraved/stamped inscriptions (mei) visible on the blades, while the remaining knife does not appear to have a visible inscription. Please refer carefully to the photographs for the inscriptions, blade shapes, construction, and overall condition.
The three knives have different blade profiles, including one particularly long and slender blade. Their aged surfaces, traditional handles, and individual signs of use give the set an authentic vintage character and make it an interesting group for collectors and enthusiasts of traditional Japanese cutlery.
As these are vintage used knives, they show substantial signs of age and use, including oxidation, patina, discoloration, scratches, stains, wear, and deterioration to the blades and handles. One blade in particular shows noticeable roughness/deterioration along part of the cutting edge. The handles also show age-related wear and surface damage.
These knives are therefore offered primarily for someone who enjoys maintaining, sharpening, restoring, or preserving vintage Japanese knives. Cleaning, sharpening, rust treatment, handle maintenance, or other restoration may be required before practical use. Their current sharpness and suitability for immediate kitchen use are not guaranteed.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Size
Set of 3 knives.
Please refer to the photograph showing the knives alongside a measuring tape for the approximate dimensions of each knife.
Measurements taken from photographs are approximate; please allow for slight measurement differences.
Weight
Artist / Maker Profile
Two of the three blades bear engraved/stamped Japanese inscriptions (mei).
One blade has no visible inscription.
The individual makers have not been conclusively identified from the available information.
Shipping Information
Shipped from Japan with a tracking number.
YuDesign normally uses Japan Post for delivery; however, depending on the destination country and the international postal situation, we will use Japan Post, Japan Post UGX, DHL, or Yamato Transport (UPS).
As of July 24, 2026, Japan Post has temporarily suspended acceptance of some IOSS shipments. Therefore, alternative delivery services such as Japan Post UGX or Yamato Transport (UPS) may be used when necessary.
As a result, shipping costs to some countries may be set slightly higher than usual in order to maintain reliable delivery. Thank you for your understanding.
The usual estimated delivery time is approximately 1–2 weeks, although this may vary depending on customs clearance and local delivery conditions.
Any import duties, VAT, customs clearance fees, or other charges incurred are the responsibility of the buyer.
The item will be carefully packed to ensure safe delivery. To help protect the environment, recycled cardboard boxes and reused packing materials may be used.
When safety can be ensured, lightweight packaging may also be used to reduce shipping costs.
Due to the impact on international postal services in the Middle East, Japan Post shipments to Cyprus are currently suspended. Therefore, shipments to Cyprus will be made exclusively by DHL or Yamato Transport (UPS).
Please refer to the shipping rate table for each country.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Seller's Story
At Yu Design, we curate not only fine art and traditional crafts, but a wide range of items that reflect the living spirit of Japanese culture.
From tea ceremony utensils and cast iron works to ceramics, dolls and vintage toys, each piece is carefully selected as a fragment of Japan’s diverse cultural landscape.
Yu Design is not just about selling objects.
It is about sharing the stories, history, and cultural background behind them — introducing Japan itself to the world.
Yu Design is owned and curated by Yuki Kuwahara, based in Japan.
She also runs a YouTube channel introducing Japanese history, with a particular focus on figures from the late Edo and early Meiji periods, reflecting her deep interest in Japan’s cultural and historical heritage.
All items are carefully inspected and securely shipped worldwide via Japan Post EMS.
Clear communication and professional packaging are always a priority.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Weight
643 g
No. of items
3
Country of origin
Japan
Material
Steel, Wood
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
39 cm
Width
5 cm
Depth
0.6 cm
Estimated period
1950-1960, 1960-1970, 1970-1980
