Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 伝統的和出刃・柳刃包丁 関孫六銀寿本鋼/天川屋

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Vintage Japanese Deba & Yanagiba Knife Set – Seki Magoroku Ginju Honko / Sakai Amakawaya – Signed Traditional Japanese Fish & Sashimi Knives

An attractive vintage set of two traditional Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a substantial Deba (fish-processing knife) and a long, elegant Yanagiba (sashimi knife).

Both knives bear clearly identifiable Japanese inscriptions and retain the distinctive character of traditional Japanese cutlery.

The Deba is marked 「関孫六 銀寿 本鋼」 (Seki Magoroku Ginju Honko). The Yanagiba bears the 「天川屋」 (Amakawaya) inscription on the blade, while its traditional wooden handle is additionally branded 「堺天川屋」 (Sakai Amakawaya).

This combination of blade inscriptions and surviving handle branding adds considerable vintage character to the set.

The two knives also represent two classic and complementary forms of Japanese fish knife: the powerful, broad-bladed Deba traditionally associated with the heavier stages of fish preparation and the long, slender Yanagiba associated with precise slicing and sashimi preparation.

An interesting pair for collectors of vintage Japanese knives, enthusiasts of traditional Japanese culinary tools, or experienced users who enjoy restoring and sharpening older Japanese blades.

1. Deba – 「関孫六 銀寿 本鋼」 – Seki Magoroku Ginju Honko

The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Deba.

The blade bears the inscription:

「関孫六 銀寿 本鋼」
Seki Magoroku Ginju Honko

The blade retains the recognizable Seki Magoroku (関孫六) name together with the Ginju (銀寿) designation and Honko (本鋼) marking.

The broad, substantial blade has the powerful profile characteristic of a traditional Deba, with considerable blade height and a strong pointed form.

The Deba is one of the classic specialist knives of Japanese cuisine. It is traditionally used in the preparation of whole fish, including filleting and working around the head, joints and bones.

Its robust blade profile contrasts particularly well with the long and slender Yanagiba included in this set, demonstrating the specialized forms developed for different stages of traditional Japanese fish preparation.

The knife is fitted with a traditional wooden Japanese handle and a dark ferrule.

Approximate dimensions:

Total length: approx. 29.5–30 cm
Blade length: approx. 16.5–17 cm
Handle section: approx. 13 cm
Maximum blade width: approx. 5 cm
2. Yanagiba – 「天川屋」 / 「堺天川屋」 – Amakawaya / Sakai Amakawaya

The knife on the right is a long and slender traditional Japanese Yanagiba.

The blade bears the inscription:

「天川屋」 – Amakawaya

In addition, the wooden handle bears the branded mark:

「堺天川屋」 – Sakai Amakawaya

The presence of the Amakawaya inscription on the blade together with the Sakai Amakawaya branding on the handle is a particularly attractive detail and adds to the identity and vintage character of this knife.

The Yanagiba has an elegant elongated blade with a narrow profile and sharply pointed tip.

This distinctive blade form is closely associated with Japanese fish and sashimi preparation. Its long cutting edge is traditionally designed to make smooth drawing cuts through fish, allowing clean and controlled slicing.

The elegant, narrow profile of the Yanagiba provides a striking contrast with the broad and powerful Seki Magoroku Deba.

The knife is fitted with a traditional wooden Japanese handle and a distinctive metal ferrule.

Approximate dimensions:

Total length: approx. 34 cm
Blade length: approx. 21 cm
Handle section: approx. 13 cm
Maximum blade width: approx. 2.5–3 cm
A Classic Pair of Traditional Japanese Fish Knives

The Deba and Yanagiba are two of the most characteristic specialist knives associated with traditional Japanese fish preparation.

The robust Deba is traditionally used for the initial and heavier stages of preparing whole fish, while the long and slender Yanagiba is associated with the delicate final slicing of fish, particularly for sashimi.

Together, these two knives illustrate one of the defining characteristics of Japanese culinary cutlery: the development of highly specialized blade shapes for different stages and techniques of food preparation.

The broad profile of the Seki Magoroku Ginju Honko Deba and the long, graceful profile of the Sakai Amakawaya Yanagiba make an especially attractive visual pairing.

The surviving inscriptions and branding – 「関孫六 銀寿 本鋼」, 「天川屋」, and 「堺天川屋」 – further enhance the vintage character and collectability of the set.

These knives are interesting both as collectible examples of traditional Japanese culinary tools and as restoration/sharpening projects for experienced enthusiasts of vintage Japanese cutlery.

Condition

These are vintage, previously used Japanese kitchen knives and are offered in their present condition.

Due to age and previous use, both knives show dirt and staining, rust/oxidation, scratches and scuff marks, damage/chipping to the blade tips, chips along the cutting edges, wear from previous use and sharpening, and other age-related deterioration.

The ferrule areas also show dirt, scratches, chips, dents, misalignment and other signs of age and previous use.

The wooden handles show dirt, scratches, chips, wear and other age-related deterioration and signs of previous use.

Please carefully examine all photographs before bidding, as the photographs form an important part of the description and provide the best indication of the actual condition of both knives.

These are vintage used knives and are not offered as newly sharpened or immediately ready-to-use modern kitchen knives.

They are recommended only for buyers who understand the characteristics and condition of vintage Japanese cutlery and who are able to carry out cleaning, rust removal and sharpening themselves as necessary.

Please bid only if you fully understand and accept the above condition and are able to perform the necessary cleaning and sharpening yourself.

A distinctive pair of signed vintage Japanese knives combining the powerful profile of a Seki Magoroku Ginju Honko Deba with the elegant form of an Amakawaya / Sakai Amakawaya Yanagiba, preserving characteristic Japanese inscriptions and traditional details.
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● bidding and payment
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● 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.

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