Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 堺登録武正作 伝統的和柳刃・出刃包丁

● 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
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- Portugal
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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 Yanagiba & Deba Kitchen Knife Set – Sakai Registered Takemasa-saku – Traditional Japanese Knives – Set of 2

A fine set of two vintage Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a Yanagiba knife and a Deba knife, both bearing the same maker's inscription and retaining distinctive original labels on their wooden handles.

These are traditional Japanese-style knives that show clear evidence of long-term use and age. They would be particularly interesting for collectors of vintage Japanese cutlery, enthusiasts of traditional Sakai knives, or experienced users looking for authentic older blades suitable for restoration, sharpening and continued use.

1. Yanagiba Knife – 堺登録 武正作

The long and slender blade is engraved:

「堺登録 武正作」
Sakai Tōroku Takemasa-saku
("Sakai Registered – Made by Takemasa")

Near the lower part of the blade is an additional distinctive emblem accompanied by the number “30.” The precise historical meaning of this mark has not been confirmed, so it is presented here exactly as it appears rather than interpreted as part of the maker's name.

The wooden handle retains a gold-colored label reading approximately:

「料理庖刀製作販売　最高名誉賞　総理大臣賞受領　堺武正」

This refers to the manufacture and sale of cooking knives and mentions the Prime Minister's Award (総理大臣賞) together with the name Sakai Takemasa. The surviving label is an attractive period detail and adds considerable character to the knife.

Approximate dimensions, measured from the photograph:

Overall length: approx. 40–41 cm
Blade length: approx. 26–27 cm
Handle length: approx. 13–14 cm

The long, narrow blade profile is characteristic of the Yanagiba, the traditional Japanese slicing knife associated particularly with precise preparation of fish and sashimi.

2. Deba Knife – 堺登録 武正作

The second knife is a traditional Deba, also engraved:

「堺登録 武正作」
Sakai Tōroku Takemasa-saku

As with the Yanagiba, the blade also carries the same additional emblem with the number “30.” Since its precise significance has not been established, no speculative interpretation is given.

The wooden handle retains a similar gold-colored Sakai Takemasa label referring to the manufacture and sale of cooking knives and the Prime Minister's Award.

Approximate dimensions, measured from the photograph:

Overall length: approx. 32–33 cm
Blade length: approx. 18–19 cm
Handle length: approx. 13–14 cm

The broad, substantial blade is characteristic of the traditional Japanese Deba, a knife developed primarily for fish preparation.

A Matching Vintage Takemasa Pair

One of the particularly appealing aspects of this lot is that the two knives form a matching Sakai Takemasa set. Both carry the same 「堺登録 武正作」 inscription, the same emblem with “30,” and related period labels on their handles.

Rather than being modern reproductions, these are genuine older Japanese kitchen knives showing the traces of actual use and the patina accumulated over many years. Their inscriptions and surviving labels make them especially interesting as examples of vintage Japanese cutlery.

Condition – Please Read Carefully Before Bidding

These are vintage used knives and are not offered in restored or professionally sharpened condition.

They show age-related and use-related signs including:

Dirt and discoloration
Rust and oxidation
Scratches and surface wear
Small chips and irregularities along the cutting edges
Damage/chipping around the blade tips
Dirt, scratches and some damage/chipping around the ferrules
Dirt and signs of use on the wooden handles
Handwritten markings on the handles
General wear consistent with age and previous use

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

These knives are intended for buyers who understand the condition of vintage Japanese knives and who are able to carry out cleaning, sharpening and any necessary restoration themselves.

Please bid only if you are comfortable purchasing vintage knives in their present condition and have the appropriate knowledge and ability to maintain or restore them.

A characterful matching pair of traditional Japanese knives, combining the specialized forms of the Yanagiba and Deba with matching Sakai Registered Takemasa-saku inscriptions, surviving period labels and an intriguing shared “30” emblem.
■ 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.