Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 伝統的和菜切・柳刃包丁 吉光/銘不明

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Due to recent changes in EU import procedures, temporary shipping restrictions may apply to IOSS shipments under EUR 150 to the following countries:

- Austria
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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 Nakiri & Long Yanagiba Kitchen Knife Set – Yoshimitsu (吉光) / Unidentified Maker – Traditional Japanese Knives

An attractive set of two vintage Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a traditional Nakiri vegetable knife and a long Yanagiba slicing knife.

The Nakiri bears the name Yoshimitsu (吉光), while the Yanagiba was originally maker-marked but the inscription has become indistinct through years of sharpening, polishing and use.

Both knives retain traditional Japanese-style wooden handles and show the unmistakable character of authentic vintage working tools.

1. Nakiri – Yoshimitsu (吉光)

The Nakiri is marked:

吉光 – Yoshimitsu

The wooden handle also retains a branded mark reading:

吉光 – Yoshimitsu

The Nakiri is one of the classic forms of Japanese kitchen knife, characterized by its broad, rectangular blade traditionally designed for vegetable preparation.

This example has clearly seen considerable use over the years. The blade retains an attractive aged surface with visible patina, oxidation and wear, giving it considerable vintage character.

Approximate dimensions:

Overall length: 30 cm
Blade length: 17 cm
2. Long Yanagiba – Maker Unknown

The second knife is a substantial traditional Yanagiba, distinguished by its long, narrow blade.

The original maker's inscription is no longer clearly readable due to wear caused by repeated sharpening, polishing and long-term use. For this reason, the maker is listed as unidentified rather than making an uncertain attribution.

At approximately 41 cm overall with a 28 cm blade, this is an impressive long-format Japanese slicing knife. Its elongated blade profile is characteristic of the Yanagiba, traditionally used for smooth, controlled slicing of fish and other ingredients in Japanese cuisine.

Approximate dimensions:

Overall length: 41 cm
Blade length: 28 cm
Two Classic Japanese Blade Forms

This set offers an interesting contrast between two distinctly Japanese knife designs: the broad, rectangular Nakiri and the elegant, elongated Yanagiba.

The Yoshimitsu markings, traditional wooden handles, substantial dimensions of the Yanagiba and visible evidence of many years of use give the pair an authentic vintage presence.

Rather than being modern decorative reproductions, these are genuine used kitchen tools showing the marks and patina accumulated through actual use.

They may appeal particularly to collectors of traditional Japanese cutlery and experienced enthusiasts who enjoy restoring, sharpening and maintaining vintage Japanese knives.

Condition – Important, Please Read Before Bidding

These are used vintage Japanese knives offered in unrestored condition.

They show various signs of age and previous use, including:

Age-related dirt and staining
Rust and oxidation
Scratches and surface wear
Wear from repeated use and sharpening
Chipping along the cutting edges
Damage/chipping to the blade tips
Dirt and scratches around the ferrules
Dirt and scratches on the wooden handles
General age-related deterioration and signs of use

As noted above, the maker's inscription on the Yanagiba has become illegible due to polishing/sharpening wear.

The knives have not been professionally restored, polished or sharpened for sale and are offered in their present vintage condition.

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

Please bid only if you fully understand and accept the condition of used vintage Japanese knives and are able to carry out the necessary cleaning and sharpening yourself.

An appealing pair of traditional Japanese knives combining a Yoshimitsu Nakiri with a particularly long 28 cm-blade Yanagiba—an interesting set for collectors, restorers and experienced enthusiasts of vintage Japanese cutlery.
■ IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE READ BEFORE BIDDING

● NO SHIPPING TO DENMARK,UNITED KINGDOM,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 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 at this time due to ongoing international shipping restrictions.
Shipping service to the United States remains temporarily suspended and we are currently unable to accept orders with US delivery addresses.
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.