Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 伝統的和菜切・柳刃包丁 濃州孫六作古流/堺正亀作

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Vintage Japanese Nakiri & Yanagiba Knife Set – “Noshu Magoroku Koryu” (濃州孫六作 古流) & “Masakame” (正亀作 手打 / 別打) – Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knives

Offered here is a distinctive pair of vintage Japanese kitchen knives, combining two classic Japanese blade forms: a broad Nakiri vegetable knife and a long, elegant Yanagiba sashimi knife.

Both knives retain traditional Japanese inscriptions and wooden Wa handles, displaying the craftsmanship-inspired design and unmistakable character of older Japanese culinary tools.

The Nakiri on the left bears the inscription “濃州孫六作 古流” (Noshu Magoroku Koryu), while the Yanagiba on the right carries “正亀作 手打” (Masakame / Hand-Forged) on its blade and “別打” (Special Forging) on the reverse.

The Yanagiba's wooden handle also retains a branded inscription reading “堺正亀撰” (Sakai Masakame Selection).

The combination of multiple surviving inscriptions, contrasting blade profiles, traditional wooden handles and authentic traces of previous use makes this set particularly interesting to collectors and Japanese knife restoration enthusiasts.

1. Nakiri Vegetable Knife – “濃州孫六作 古流”

The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Nakiri, characterized by its broad, rectangular blade and relatively straight cutting edge.

Nakiri knives have long been used in Japanese kitchens for preparing vegetables, including slicing, chopping and finely cutting ingredients. Their wide blades provide a distinctive and practical shape for vegetable preparation.

The blade bears the Japanese inscription:

濃州孫六作 古流

The inscription includes “濃州” (Noshu), a historical regional name associated with Mino Province, corresponding broadly to part of present-day Gifu Prefecture, an area renowned for its long tradition of blade making.

“孫六作” (Magoroku Saku) means “Made by Magoroku,” while “古流” (Koryu) can be understood as “Old School” or “Traditional Style.”

These inscriptions give the knife a distinctive Japanese identity. However, they are presented as markings found on the blade and do not independently establish a particular manufacturing date, workshop or steel grade.

The knife has a broad blade with a relatively straight cutting edge and a slightly curved upper corner.

It is fitted with a traditional light-colored wooden Wa handle and a black ferrule.

Visible scratches, discoloration, oxidation and wear contribute to its authentic vintage appearance.

Approximate Dimensions

Overall length: 32 cm

Blade length: 18 cm

Maximum blade width: 5.2 cm

2. Yanagiba Sashimi Knife – “正亀作 手打” / “別打”

The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Yanagiba, distinguished by its long, slender blade and sharply pointed tip.

Yanagiba knives are traditionally associated with preparing sashimi and sushi. Their elongated blades are designed to allow smooth drawing cuts, making them one of the most recognizable forms of Japanese kitchen cutlery.

The blade bears the inscription:

正亀作 手打

Masakame Saku / Teuchi

The wording “正亀作” identifies the name appearing on the blade, while “手打” literally refers to hand forging or hand hammering.

The reverse side of the blade carries the additional inscription:

別打

Betsuuchi – Special Forging

The survival of these markings on both sides of the blade is a particularly attractive feature of this vintage knife.

The inscriptions are described as they appear on the knife. The precise manufacturing process and steel composition have not been independently verified.

The traditional wooden Wa handle also retains a clearly visible branded inscription:

堺正亀撰

Sakai Masakame Selection

The inclusion of “堺” (Sakai) is particularly interesting, as Sakai, in Osaka Prefecture, has a centuries-old tradition of producing Japanese kitchen knives.

The combination of the blade inscription, reverse marking and branded wooden handle gives this Yanagiba a strong visual identity.

The knife features a long, narrow blade, a traditional wooden Wa handle and a black ferrule.

Age-related oxidation, scratches and wear remain visible on the blade, giving it the unmistakable character of a vintage Japanese working knife.

Approximate Dimensions

Overall length: 34 cm

Blade length: 21 cm

Maximum blade width: 3.0 cm

Please note: All dimensions are approximate estimates based on the measuring tape visible in the photograph. Minor differences from actual measurements should be expected.

Two Traditional Japanese Knife Forms with Multiple Surviving Inscriptions

This set combines two contrasting Japanese knife designs.

The approximately 18 cm Nakiri has the broad, rectangular profile traditionally associated with vegetable preparation.

The approximately 21 cm Yanagiba has the long, narrow profile associated with slicing fish for sashimi.

Of particular interest are the original Japanese inscriptions:

Nakiri – Left

Blade inscription: 濃州孫六作 古流

Romanized identification: Noshu Magoroku Koryu

Traditional wooden Wa handle with black ferrule

Yanagiba – Right

Blade inscription: 正亀作 手打

Reverse blade inscription: 別打

Wooden handle branding: 堺正亀撰

Traditional wooden Wa handle with black ferrule

The historical regional references, traditional terminology and multiple surviving markings add interest to this pair.

Rather than being extensively polished or restored to conceal their age, both knives retain visible traces of previous use, offering considerable appeal to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate older Japanese culinary tools.

Condition – Important Information for Bidders

These are vintage, pre-owned Japanese kitchen knives and show clear signs of age, previous use and storage.

Their condition includes:

Age-related dirt, staining and discoloration

Rust and oxidation

Scratches, rubbing marks and scuffs on the blades

Chipping or damage to the blade tips

Chips and imperfections along the cutting edges

Wear from age and previous use

Dirt and scratches around the ferrules

Dirt and signs of previous use on the wooden handles

Other age-related and use-related imperfections

The knives are offered in their present vintage condition and may require substantial maintenance or restoration.

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 and branded markings.

These are vintage working knives rather than fully restored or maintenance-free modern kitchen knives.

Depending on their condition and intended use, cleaning, rust removal, sharpening, adjustment or repair of the ferrules and handles, and other restoration work may be necessary before practical use.

Traditional Japanese wooden handles are replaceable components. Age-related drying, shrinkage, looseness or cracking may require adjustment, repair or replacement.

Please bid only if you fully understand and accept the vintage condition—including dirt, rust, scratches, tip damage, edge chipping, wear, ferrule imperfections and handle wear—and are capable of carrying out the necessary cleaning, sharpening and repair or restoration yourself.

An Appealing Pair for Collectors and Restoration Enthusiasts

With the “濃州孫六作 古流” Nakiri and the “正亀作 手打 / 別打” Yanagiba, retaining its distinctive “堺正亀撰” handle branding, this set offers an attractive combination of traditional Japanese knife forms and surviving historical inscriptions.

An interesting pair for collectors of vintage Japanese cutlery, sharpening and restoration enthusiasts, and admirers of traditional Japanese culinary craftsmanship.
■ 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
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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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● 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.