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, and Portugal. Shipping availability may change depending on Japan Post and the destination country's postal procedures. Please consider this possibility before placing a bid. -------------------- Vintage Japanese Usuba and Yanagiba kitchen knife set - Sakai Shūgaku Fumio and Ota Sakai Tōji - 2 traditional Japanese knives - Japan Offered here is a fine set of two vintage Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a traditional Usuba vegetable knife bearing the inscriptions "堺秀岳" and "文夫", together with a Yanagiba slicing knife marked "太田" and "堺刀司". Both knives retain their traditional Japanese wooden handles and display the characteristic forms of Japanese kitchen cutlery. The Usuba features a broad, relatively straight-edged blade designed in the traditional Japanese vegetable-knife style. The Yanagiba has a long, narrow, pointed blade associated with the preparation and slicing of fish. Unlike heavily weathered examples, these knives present a comparatively well-preserved overall appearance for vintage items, although they retain visible signs of age, use, and storage. The combination of two distinct Japanese blade styles, surviving Japanese inscriptions, and traditional wooden handles makes this an appealing set for collectors and experienced restorers of Japanese kitchen knives. Both knives are vintage, pre-owned items and are offered in their present condition. They have not been certified as fully restored or ready for immediate use. 1. Usuba knife - Sakai Shūgaku Fumio The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Usuba-style vegetable knife. Its blade has a broad, rectangular profile, a relatively straight cutting edge, and a squared-off tip with a slightly rounded upper corner. The blade bears the Japanese inscriptions: "堺秀岳" "文夫" The wooden handle also retains a label reading: "堺秀岳" The inscription "堺" refers to Sakai, a Japanese city widely associated with traditional cutlery. The inscription alone does not independently verify the exact place of manufacture or maker. The additional inscription "文夫" is reproduced as it appears on the blade. Its precise significance has not been independently established. The surviving label is an attractive original-style detail and adds to the knife's vintage character. The Usuba is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife, distinguished by its broad blade and straight cutting edge. This type of knife is associated with precise vegetable preparation and traditional Japanese culinary techniques. The blade retains a relatively clean overall appearance for its age, with visible surface scratches, minor oxidation, and other signs of previous use. The wooden handle and dark ferrule show age-related wear and dirt. Approximate dimensions: Overall length: 28 cm Blade length: 15 cm Maximum blade width: 3.8 cm 2. Yanagiba knife - Ota Sakai Tōji The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Yanagiba slicing knife. The blade bears the inscriptions: "太田" "堺刀司" These markings may be read as "Ota" and "Sakai Tōji". The precise relationship between these inscriptions, the manufacturer, and the knife's production history has not been independently verified. The Yanagiba is one of the most recognizable forms of traditional Japanese kitchen knives, characterized by its long, slender blade and pointed tip. This blade shape is associated with slicing fish and preparing sashimi, where long, controlled cutting movements are traditionally used. The present example has an elegant, narrow profile and retains a traditional wooden handle with a dark ferrule. The blade shows light age-related oxidation, scratches, wear, and other surface imperfections. Despite these signs of use, the knife has a comparatively well-preserved overall appearance for a vintage example. Approximate dimensions: Overall length: 32 cm Blade length: 19 cm Maximum blade width: 2.6 cm 3. Condition and restoration requirements Both knives are vintage, pre-owned items showing signs of age, previous use, and storage. Their overall appearance is comparatively good for vintage Japanese kitchen knives, but they are not unused or free from defects. The condition includes: Light rust and surface oxidation. Scratches, rubbing marks, and signs of use. Small chips and irregularities along the cutting edges. Chipping or wear at the blade tips. Dirt and scratches around the ferrules. Dirt and age-related wear on the wooden handles. Other imperfections consistent with age and previous use. Please carefully examine the photographs to assess the condition of both knives, particularly their cutting edges, tips, blade surfaces, ferrules, and wooden handles. Both knives require sharpening before use. Cleaning, adjustment, repair, restoration, or replacement of wooden handles may also be necessary depending on their actual condition. These items are not offered as professionally restored, fully serviced, or immediately ready for kitchen use. Please understand that hidden or non-visible defects may exist, including internal corrosion, looseness, deterioration, or other problems that cannot be identified from photographs alone. The exact steel composition, manufacturing dates, and historical provenance have not been independently verified. All measurements are approximate estimates based on the photographs. Important: Bidding is strictly limited to buyers who personally possess the necessary knowledge, experience, practical skills, and ability to carry out cleaning, sharpening, repair, and restoration themselves. Buyers who are unable to perform such work independently should refrain from bidding. 4. Collector appeal This set offers an attractive pairing of two traditional Japanese kitchen knife forms. The Usuba is notable for its broad blade, surviving "堺秀岳" and "文夫" inscriptions, and the "堺秀岳" label on its wooden handle. The Yanagiba features a slender pointed blade with the inscriptions "太田" and "堺刀司". Together, they illustrate the contrast between traditional Japanese vegetable-cutting and fish-slicing knife designs. Their comparatively well-preserved appearance, surviving inscriptions, and traditional wooden handles make them interesting pieces for collectors of Japanese kitchen knives and traditional culinary tools. This set is particularly suitable for collectors and experienced restorers who appreciate vintage Japanese cutlery and can personally carry out any necessary maintenance or restoration. -------------------- Important notice - Please read before bidding No shipping to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the 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 your intention to complete payment if you win the auction. 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 photographs before bidding. Photographs form an essential part of the item description. Please understand that some defects, deterioration, or imperfections may not be visible in photographs. Hidden or non-visible flaws may exist. Furthermore, the condition of vintage items may change during international transportation due to vibration, impact, temperature fluctuations, humidity, or handling. Important: Bidding is strictly limited to buyers who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and practical ability to personally perform repair, restoration, sharpening, and cleaning as required. Buyers must be capable of carrying out such maintenance and restoration themselves. These items are not intended for buyers who expect fully restored, maintenance-free, or immediately ready-to-use products. Please do not bid unless you fully understand and accept these conditions. All measurements are approximate. Important notice regarding traditional Japanese knife handles Traditional Japanese kitchen knives (wa-bocho) generally use replaceable wooden handles. Wooden handles are consumable components and may experience drying, shrinkage, cracking, looseness, deterioration, or detachment due to age, storage conditions, or stress during international transportation. Even if a handle is firmly attached before shipment, its condition may change during transit. Buyers must understand that wooden handles may require reattachment, adjustment, repair, or complete replacement. Bidding is limited to buyers who understand these characteristics and have the knowledge and practical ability to perform necessary handle repairs or replacements themselves. Replacement handles and repair materials are not included unless specifically stated. Shipping restrictions - Knives Due to applicable knife shipping and delivery restrictions, we do not ship knives to the United Kingdom or Denmark. Shipments to other countries may also be restricted depending on local laws, customs regulations, or available postal services. Orders to destinations where lawful and compliant delivery cannot be arranged may need to be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki policy. International shipping and customs Import regulations for kitchen knives vary by country. Buyers are responsible for checking whether the items can legally be imported into their country before bidding. The seller ships from Japan with accurate customs declarations. Customs delays, inspections, import taxes, and clearance requirements are outside the seller's direct control. Buyers must cooperate with the relevant customs authorities and shipping carriers when required. Countries we do not ship to We do not ship to the United States at this time due to ongoing international shipping restrictions and related logistical difficulties. Shipping to the United States remains temporarily suspended. Orders from destinations where shipping is restricted may need to be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki policy. International situation and shipping limitations Due to global conditions, sanctions, transportation restrictions, changes in customs regulations, or postal service disruptions, shipping to certain countries may become impossible. If shipment cannot be arranged legally or through an available shipping service, the order may need to be cancelled in accordance with Catawiki policy. Important notice for Italy Delivery to Italy may take one month or longer due to customs procedures and postal delays. Please place a bid only if you understand and accept the possibility of extended delivery times. No combined shipping Each item will normally be shipped separately, even if multiple items are purchased. Please contact us before bidding if you wish to discuss any special shipping arrangements. Combined shipping is not guaranteed. Shipping method and delivery time Kitchen knives are shipped from Japan via Japan Post or DHL, depending on the destination and available shipping services. Estimated delivery time is approximately 3-4 weeks, depending on the destination, customs procedures, and local delivery conditions. Delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Import duties and taxes (EU buyers) Import duties, VAT, customs clearance fees, and other applicable charges may be imposed depending on the destination country and the applicable tax collection arrangements. Any amounts not collected at checkout may be payable by the buyer upon importation. Buyers are responsible for checking and complying with the applicable import requirements. Customs contact and buyer responsibility Buyers must respond promptly to requests from customs authorities, postal operators, or shipping carriers. Failure to provide necessary documents, complete customs procedures, or pay applicable import charges may result in delays, return, confiscation, or disposal of the parcel. Buyers are expected to cooperate fully with customs clearance procedures. Returned parcels If a parcel is returned because the buyer refuses delivery, fails to complete customs clearance, does not respond to customs requests, or fails to pay applicable import charges, any request for reshipment will be considered individually. Reshipment may require payment of additional shipping and handling costs, including costs arising from the original return. Any refund, cancellation, or reshipment will be handled in accordance with Catawiki policy and applicable law. Force majeure The seller cannot control delays or disruptions caused by war, sanctions, natural disasters, postal suspensions, customs restrictions, or other circumstances beyond reasonable control. Such situations will be handled in accordance with Catawiki policy and applicable law. Important agreement - Acceptance of all listing conditions By placing a bid, you confirm that you have carefully read, fully understood, and accepted the entire item description, all photographs, condition disclosures, shipping restrictions, and every important notice stated in this listing, subject to applicable Catawiki policies and mandatory consumer protection laws. You also confirm that you understand the nature of vintage and antique items, including the possibility of age-related deterioration, non-visible defects, and the need for cleaning, sharpening, restoration, or repair. You further confirm that you possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and practical ability to perform such maintenance or restoration yourself when required. For traditional Japanese knives, this includes understanding that wooden handles are replaceable consumable parts and may require adjustment, reattachment, repair, or replacement. Please do not place a bid if you do not fully understand or accept these conditions. These conditions apply subject to Catawiki's applicable policies and any mandatory consumer protection laws.