Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 伝統的和出刃・薄刃包丁 堺登録菊泰久/堺匠作

● IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CERTAIN EU COUNTRIES - IOSS SHIPMENTS UNDER EUR 150

Due to recent changes in EU import procedures, temporary shipping restrictions may apply to IOSS shipments under EUR 150 to the following countries:

- Austria
- Germany
- Finland
- France
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
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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 Deba & Usuba Knife Set – “Sakai Kiku” (別打堺菊) & “Registered Sakai Takumi Saku” (登録堺匠作) – Traditional Japanese Kitchen Knives with Original Markings

Offered here is a distinctive pair of **vintage Japanese kitchen knives**, consisting of a traditional Deba fish knife and a broad Usuba vegetable knife.

Both knives retain Japanese inscriptions associated with **Sakai**, one of Japan's most historically important centers of traditional kitchen knife production.

The Deba on the left bears the blade inscription **“別打堺菊” (Betsuuchi Sakai Kiku)** and an elaborate branded marking on its wooden handle reading **“堺登録菊泰久別作”**.

The Usuba on the right bears the inscription **“登録堺匠作” (Registered Sakai Takumi Saku)** and retains a vintage label around its black ferrule bearing the wording **“切味最高 / 堺 / 堺伝統刃物品質保証”**.

These surviving inscriptions, handle branding and vintage label give the set a distinctive identity and make it particularly appealing to collectors of traditional Japanese cutlery.

### 1. Traditional Japanese Deba Knife – “別打堺菊”

The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese **Deba**, distinguished by its broad, sturdy-looking blade and pointed tip.

Deba knives are traditionally associated with preparing fish, including cleaning, filleting and other fish-processing tasks.

Its compact, substantial blade profile reflects the characteristic design of this traditional Japanese knife type.

The blade bears the inscription:

**別打堺菊**

**Betsuuchi Sakai Kiku**

The characters **“堺菊” (Sakai Kiku)** form the name appearing on the blade, while **“別打” (Betsuuchi)** is a traditional cutlery designation suggesting special manufacture or forging.

The name includes **Sakai**, the historic knife-making center in Osaka Prefecture, renowned for its centuries-old tradition of producing specialized Japanese culinary knives.

A particularly interesting feature is the elaborate branded marking on the wooden handle:

**堺登録菊泰久別作**

**Sakai / Registered / Kikutayuhisa / Specially Made**

The handle branding includes a decorative emblem, giving the knife additional visual appeal.

The difference between the blade inscription **“別打堺菊”** and the handle branding **“堺登録菊泰久別作”** is preserved accurately. These markings are not presented as proof of a specific manufacturing workshop or production date.

The knife has a traditional wooden Wa handle with a black ferrule. The blade shows visible age-related marks, discoloration and wear.

**Approximate Dimensions**

- Overall length: **28 cm**
- Blade length: **15 cm**
- Maximum blade width: **4.7 cm**

### 2. Traditional Japanese Usuba Knife – “登録堺匠作”

The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese **Usuba-style vegetable knife**, characterized by its tall, rectangular blade and relatively straight cutting edge.

Usuba knives are associated with precise vegetable preparation in Japanese cuisine, including thin slicing, peeling and decorative cutting techniques.

The blade bears the clearly visible inscription:

**登録堺匠作**

**Registered Sakai Takumi Saku**

The characters **“堺匠作”** form the name appearing on the blade, while **“登録”** literally means “registered.”

This inscription is an interesting identifying feature of the knife, although it does not independently establish a particular manufacturer, trademark registration status or production date.

Of particular interest is the surviving vintage label attached around the black ferrule.

The label reads:

**切味最高**

**堺**

**堺伝統刃物品質保証**

These expressions may be translated approximately as:

- **切味最高:** Superior Cutting Performance
- **堺:** Sakai
- **堺伝統刃物品質保証:** Sakai Traditional Cutlery Quality Assurance

The survival of this label is an appealing feature for collectors interested in older Japanese knife branding and product presentation.

The wording is reproduced as an inscription on the vintage label, not as a guarantee of the knife's present sharpness, quality certification or cutting performance.

The Usuba features a broad blade with a relatively straight cutting edge, a light-colored wooden Wa handle and a black ferrule.

Its blade displays scratches, oxidation, discoloration and other traces of previous use.

**Approximate Dimensions**

- Overall length: **31 cm**
- Blade length: **17 cm**
- Maximum blade width: **4.8 cm**

*All measurements are approximate estimates based on the measuring tape visible in the photographs. Slight differences from actual measurements may occur.*

### A Distinctive Pair of Traditional Japanese Knives

This lot brings together two classic Japanese kitchen knife designs, each with its own traditional purpose.

The Deba has a compact, broad blade traditionally associated with fish preparation, while the Usuba has a tall, rectangular blade associated with precise vegetable cutting.

Both knives feature markings referring to Sakai, a historic center of Japanese blade-making craftsmanship.

**Deba – Left**

- Blade inscription: **別打堺菊**
- Handle branding: **堺登録菊泰久別作**
- Decorative emblem on the wooden handle
- Traditional wooden Wa handle
- Black ferrule

**Usuba – Right**

- Blade inscription: **登録堺匠作**
- Vintage ferrule label: **切味最高 / 堺 / 堺伝統刃物品質保証**
- Broad, rectangular blade
- Traditional wooden Wa handle
- Black ferrule

The contrast between the Deba's pointed blade and the Usuba's rectangular profile, together with the surviving inscriptions and decorative markings, makes this a particularly interesting vintage Japanese knife set.

### Condition – Important Information for Bidders

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

Their condition includes:

- Age-related dirt, staining and discoloration
- Rust and oxidation
- Scratches and scuff marks on the blades
- Chipping or damage to the blade tips
- Chips and imperfections along the cutting edges
- Dirt and scratches around the ferrules
- Dirt and wear on the wooden handles
- Other age-related imperfections

The surviving vintage label and handle branding may also show age-related deterioration.

**Please examine all photographs carefully before bidding.** The photographs form an essential part of the description and show the condition of the blades, cutting edges, tips, ferrules, wooden handles, inscriptions and labels.

These knives are offered in their present vintage condition, not as fully restored or ready-to-use modern kitchen knives.

**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 consumable, replaceable components. Age-related drying, shrinkage, looseness or cracking may require repair or replacement.

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

### An Interesting Set for Collectors and Restoration Enthusiasts

With the **“別打堺菊” Deba**, retaining its elaborate **“堺登録菊泰久別作”** handle branding, and the **“登録堺匠作” Usuba**, retaining its vintage **Sakai Traditional Cutlery Quality Assurance** label, this pair offers an attractive combination of traditional Japanese blade forms and surviving historical markings.

An appealing set for collectors of vintage Japanese knives, 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
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.

● import duties and taxes (EU buyers)
import duties, VAT, and other taxes are not included. buyer is responsible for all charges.

● customs contact and buyer responsibility
buyer must respond to customs requests promptly. failure may result in delay, return, confiscation, or destruction of parcel.

● returned parcels
if returned due to customs refusal or non-response, reshipping requires double shipping cost.

● force majeure
seller is not responsible for delays or failures caused by war, sanctions, disasters, postal suspension, or other force majeure events.

● 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.