Kitchen knife - Wood, Steel - Japan - 伝統的和薄刃・柳刃包丁 堺別打黒田特撰/忠宗作

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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 Usuba & Yanagiba Knife Set – “黒田別上 / 堺刃物 忠則別打” & “忠宗作” – Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knives
An impressive pair of vintage Japanese kitchen knives, combining two classic traditional blade forms: a broad, rectangular Usuba vegetable knife and a long, slender Yanagiba sashimi knife.
Both knives retain Japanese inscriptions and traditional wooden Wa handles, while the Usuba is particularly interesting for the multiple inscriptions and branded markings surviving on the blade and handle.
The Usuba on the left is marked “黒田別上” on the blade, with “堺刃物 忠則別打” on the reverse. Its wooden handle is branded “堺別打 黒田特撰”, and an additional, partially faded marking that appears to read “堺謹製” is also present on the reverse side of the handle.
The Yanagiba on the right bears the blade inscription “忠宗作”, while its wooden handle retains traces of an old label.
The combination of numerous surviving Japanese markings, traditional Wa handles, contrasting blade profiles and substantial signs of long-term use gives this set particularly strong vintage character.
1. Usuba – “黒田別上” / “堺刃物 忠則別打”
The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Usuba, with a tall, broad and almost rectangular blade.
Usuba knives are specialized Japanese vegetable knives traditionally used for precise vegetable preparation, including peeling, slicing and decorative cutting. The broad blade and relatively straight cutting edge are characteristic of this traditional form. うちはもの
The blade bears the inscription:
黒田別上
On the reverse side is an additional inscription:
堺刃物 忠則別打
The traditional wooden Wa handle also retains an extensive branded inscription:
堺別打 黒田特撰
In addition, another old branded marking remains on the reverse side of the handle. Although partly faded and difficult to read, it appears to include:
堺謹製
Because this latter marking is not completely legible, it is presented as a probable reading rather than a definitive identification.
These multiple surviving inscriptions—on both the blade and handle—are especially interesting features of this vintage knife.
The knife is fitted with a wooden Wa handle and a metal ferrule, both showing considerable traces of age and previous use.
Approximate dimensions:
- Overall length: approx. 31 cm
- Blade length: approx. 18 cm
- Maximum blade width: approx. 4.8 cm
2. Yanagiba – “忠宗作”
The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Yanagiba, characterized by its long, narrow blade and sharply pointed tip.
Yanagiba knives are traditional sashimi knives. Their long, slender blades are designed to allow smooth drawing cuts through prepared fish, helping produce clean slices with minimal repeated cutting. タカハシ靴
The blade bears the Japanese inscription:
忠宗作
The knife is fitted with a traditional wooden Wa handle and black ferrule.
The wooden handle also retains traces of an old label. The original wording is no longer sufficiently clear to identify with confidence, so no unsupported interpretation is made.
The blade displays considerable evidence of age and previous use, including oxidation, scratches and wear, giving it the unmistakable appearance of an older Japanese working knife.
Approximate dimensions:
- Overall length: approx. 35 cm
- Blade length: approx. 22 cm
- Maximum blade width: approx. 2.8 cm
Please note: All measurements are approximate estimates based on the measuring tape visible in the photograph. Slight differences from actual measurements should be expected.
Two Classic Japanese Knife Forms with Rich Surviving Markings
One of the strongest features of this lot is the contrast between the broad Usuba and the elegant, slender Yanagiba.
The approximately 18 cm Usuba represents the traditional Japanese vegetable-knife form, while the approximately 22 cm Yanagiba represents the classic Japanese sashimi-knife form.
Particularly noteworthy is the number of markings surviving on the Usuba:
Blade:
“黒田別上”
Reverse of blade:
“堺刃物 忠則別打”
Handle:
“堺別打 黒田特撰”
Additional partially faded handle marking:
Apparently “堺謹製”
The Yanagiba is marked:
“忠宗作”
and retains traces of an old label on its handle.
Rather than being polished or restored to conceal their age, both knives retain the visible traces accumulated through years of previous use. This gives them considerable appeal as vintage Japanese culinary tools and as potential restoration projects.
Condition
These are vintage, pre-owned Japanese kitchen knives and show substantial signs of age and previous use.
Condition includes:
- Age-related dirt and staining
- Rust / oxidation
- Scratches, rubbing marks and scuffs on the blades
- Chipping / damage to the blade tips
- Chips and imperfections along the cutting edges
- Wear from age and previous use
- Dirt and scratches around the ferrules
- Dents and misalignment around the ferrule areas
- Dirt and scratches on the wooden handles
- Age-related deterioration and loss to the old handle label
- Other age- and use-related imperfections
The knives have not been fully cleaned, polished, restored or professionally sharpened and 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 blades, cutting edges, tips, ferrules, wooden handles, inscriptions, branded markings and surviving label traces.
These are vintage working knives rather than fully restored or maintenance-free modern kitchen knives. Depending on their present condition and intended use, cleaning, rust removal, sharpening, adjustment or repair of the ferrule/handle areas, and other restoration work may be required.
Please bid only if you fully understand and accept the vintage condition—including dirt, rust, scratches, tip damage, edge chipping, wear, ferrule dents and misalignment, and handle wear—and are capable of carrying out the necessary cleaning, sharpening and repair/restoration yourself.
With the extensively marked “黒田別上 / 堺刃物 忠則別打” Usuba and the long “忠宗作” Yanagiba, this is an appealing pair for collectors of vintage Japanese cutlery, sharpening and restoration enthusiasts, and admirers of traditional Japanese culinary tools.
■ 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.

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import duties, VAT, and other taxes are not included. buyer is responsible for all charges.

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● 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.