Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 伝統的和柳刃・出刃包丁 濃州秀元作/宗行作

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Vintage Japanese Yanagiba & Deba Knife Set – Nōshū Hidemoto / Muneyuki – Signed Traditional Japanese Fish & Sashimi Knives

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

Both knives bear clearly visible Japanese inscriptions and display the distinctive forms and character associated with traditional Japanese cutlery.

The Yanagiba on the left is signed 「濃州 秀元作」 (Nōshū Hidemoto-saku), while the Deba on the right bears the inscription 「宗行作」 (Muneyuki-saku).

The combination of these two contrasting blade forms creates a particularly characteristic Japanese fish-knife set: the long, slender Yanagiba traditionally associated with precise slicing and sashimi preparation, together with the broad and powerful Deba traditionally used for the heavier stages of preparing whole fish.

An appealing pair for collectors of vintage Japanese knives, enthusiasts of traditional Japanese culinary tools, or experienced users looking for older Japanese blades to clean, sharpen and restore.

1. Yanagiba – 「濃州 秀元作」 – Nōshū Hidemoto-saku

The long knife on the left is a traditional-style Japanese Yanagiba.

The blade bears the inscription:

「濃州 秀元作」
Nōshū Hidemoto-saku

The inscription includes 「濃州」 (Nōshū), the historical name associated with the Mino region, an area with a long tradition of Japanese blade production.

The knife has the classic elongated profile associated with the Yanagiba: a long, narrow blade extending toward a sharply pointed tip.

Yanagiba knives are closely associated with traditional Japanese fish preparation, particularly sashimi. The long cutting edge is designed to facilitate smooth drawing cuts through fish, allowing clean and controlled slicing.

This example has a particularly elegant silhouette and is fitted with a light-colored traditional Japanese-style handle and a dark ferrule.

Approximate dimensions:

Total length: approx. 34 cm
Blade length: approx. 21 cm
Handle section: approx. 13 cm
Maximum blade width: approx. 3 cm
2. Deba – 「宗行作」 – Muneyuki-saku

The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Deba.

The blade bears the inscription:

「宗行作」
Muneyuki-saku

The Deba has a broad and substantial blade profile with considerable blade height and a strong pointed form, providing a clear visual contrast with the slender Yanagiba.

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

Its robust blade geometry reflects its fundamentally different role from the accompanying Yanagiba and illustrates the specialized nature of traditional Japanese kitchen knives.

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

Approximate dimensions:

Total length: approx. 30 cm
Blade length: approx. 17 cm
Handle section: approx. 13 cm
Maximum blade width: approx. 5 cm
A Classic Yanagiba & Deba Combination

The Yanagiba and Deba 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 precise final slicing of fish, particularly for sashimi.

Together, the two knives provide an excellent illustration of the specialized blade designs developed within Japanese culinary culture.

The visual contrast is particularly striking: the Nōshū Hidemoto Yanagiba has a long and graceful blade, while the Muneyuki Deba has a compact, broad and powerful profile.

Both retain their Japanese maker inscriptions, adding further character to this vintage pair.

They are interesting as collectible examples of traditional Japanese culinary tools as well as restoration and 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 and other signs of age and use.

The handles show dirt, scratches, wear and other age-related 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 elegant profile of a Nōshū Hidemoto Yanagiba with the powerful traditional form of a Muneyuki Deba.
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● 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
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● important notice for italy
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● 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.

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