Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 特撰 腕一番 伝統的和菜切り・柳刃包丁

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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:

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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 & Yanagiba Knife Set – “Tokusen Ude Ichiban (特撰 腕一番)” – Matching Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knives
An attractive matching pair of vintage Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a traditional Nakiri vegetable knife and a slender Yanagiba sashimi knife.
Both blades bear the same Japanese inscription, 「特撰 腕一番」, and both wooden handles retain matching labels reading 「切味最高 腕一番」.
The matching blade inscriptions and surviving original handle labels give this set a distinctive, coordinated appearance. Rather than two unrelated vintage knives, this lot offers two different traditional Japanese knife forms bearing the same branding.
The Nakiri features a broad, rectangular blade associated with vegetable preparation, while the Yanagiba has the long, narrow, pointed profile traditionally used for slicing sashimi.

Japanese Knife Company
+1




1. Nakiri Vegetable Knife – Tokusen Ude Ichiban (特撰 腕一番)
The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Nakiri, characterized by its broad, nearly rectangular blade and relatively straight cutting edge.
Its generous blade height provides the distinctive profile of a Japanese vegetable knife. The blade also retains a contrasting darkened surface and brighter cutting-edge area, giving it considerable visual character.
The blade bears the inscription:
特撰 腕一番 – Tokusen Ude Ichiban / Special Selection
The wooden handle retains an original black-and-gold label reading:
切味最高 腕一番 – Ude Ichiban / Supreme Cutting Performance
The label wording is presented as an original product marking, rather than as a guarantee of the knife's present sharpness.
The knife is fitted with a traditional wooden Wa handle and black ferrule.
Approximate dimensions
- Overall length: 31.5 cm
- Blade length: 17.5 cm
- Maximum blade width: 5.3 cm
2. Yanagiba Sashimi Knife – Tokusen Ude Ichiban (特撰 腕一番)
The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Yanagiba, featuring a long, narrow blade and pointed tip.
This specialized blade shape is associated with sashimi preparation, where the length of the knife allows fish to be sliced with a smooth drawing motion.

SAKAI ICHIMONJI MITSUHIDE




Like the Nakiri, its blade bears the inscription:
特撰 腕一番 – Tokusen Ude Ichiban / Special Selection
Its wooden handle also retains the matching black-and-gold label:
切味最高 腕一番 – Ude Ichiban / Supreme Cutting Performance
The survival of matching labels on both knives is a particularly appealing detail for collectors interested in older Japanese kitchen cutlery.
The Yanagiba is fitted with a traditional wooden Wa handle and black ferrule. Its slender blade provides an elegant contrast to the broad Nakiri.
Approximate dimensions
- Overall length: 34.5 cm
- Blade length: 21.5 cm
- Maximum blade width: 3.0 cm
All measurements are approximate and have been estimated from the measuring tape visible in the photograph.
A Matching Pair of Traditional Japanese Knives
The principal attraction of this set is the combination of two different Japanese knife forms with matching inscriptions and handle labels.
The broad Nakiri and slender Yanagiba illustrate two distinct approaches to food preparation, while their shared 「特撰 腕一番」 branding gives the pair a unified appearance.
Both knives retain their traditional wooden handles, black ferrules, original labels, and the visible signs of age and use that characterize vintage Japanese kitchen tools.
Condition
These are vintage, pre-owned Japanese kitchen knives and show signs of age, previous use, sharpening, and storage.
Please note the following condition issues:
- Age-related dirt and staining
- Rust and oxidation
- Scratches and scuff marks on the blades
- Wear from previous use and sharpening
- Chips and imperfections along the cutting edges
- Chipping or damage to the blade tips
- Scratches and dirt around the ferrules
- Dirt, staining, and signs of use on the wooden handles
- Other age-related and use-related imperfections
The knives have not been fully cleaned, polished, restored, or professionally sharpened. They are offered in their present vintage condition.
Please examine all photographs carefully before bidding. The photographs form an essential part of the description and show the actual condition of the knives.
These are not fully restored or maintenance-free modern kitchen knives. Cleaning, sharpening, adjustment, or other maintenance may be required before use.
Please bid only if you fully understand and accept the vintage condition and are capable of performing the necessary cleaning and sharpening yourself.
With their matching 「特撰 腕一番」 blade inscriptions, surviving 「切味最高 腕一番」 handle labels, and contrasting Nakiri and Yanagiba blade profiles, this pair offers an appealing opportunity for collectors of vintage Japanese cutlery, sharpening and restoration enthusiasts, and admirers of traditional Japanese culinary tools.
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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
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)
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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.