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 Deba and Yanagiba Kitchen Knife Set – Ibuki Seki Magoroku / Yoshitomo-saku – Two Traditional Japanese Knives Country of origin: Japan Number of knives: 2 Types: Deba and Yanagiba Blade material: Metal (exact steel composition unverified) Handle material: Wood Condition: Vintage, pre-owned, with age-related wear and damage Product description We are pleased to offer this interesting set of two traditional Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a substantial Deba knife bearing the inscriptions "伊吹" and "関孫六", together with an elegant, long-bladed Yanagiba knife bearing the inscription "義友作". These knives represent two characteristic forms of Japanese culinary craftsmanship, traditionally associated with fish preparation and Japanese cuisine. The Deba features a broad, sturdy-looking blade with a pronounced curved cutting profile, traditionally associated with preparing and filleting fish. The Yanagiba has a long, slender blade designed in the traditional style used for slicing fish and preparing sashimi. Both knives retain wooden handles and exhibit visible evidence of age, previous use, and long-term storage. Their distinctive shapes, surviving Japanese inscriptions, and aged appearance make this an appealing set for collectors of traditional Japanese kitchenware and experienced knife restorers. 1. Deba knife – Ibuki / Seki Magoroku The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Deba. The blade bears the inscriptions: "伊吹" – Ibuki "関孫六" – Seki Magoroku The name Seki Magoroku is associated with a long-established tradition of Japanese cutlery, particularly connected with Seki, an important historical center of Japanese blade production. However, the inscriptions are presented as markings found on the knife and do not independently establish its manufacturer, exact age, or authenticity. The knife has a broad blade with a substantial profile and a pointed tip. The blade shows visible surface wear, discoloration, scratches, and signs of oxidation. The cutting edge and tip show age-related damage, including chipping. It retains a traditional wooden handle with a dark ferrule. The overall appearance reflects a well-used vintage Japanese kitchen knife, with potential for careful restoration by a suitably experienced owner. Approximate dimensions: Overall length: 29 cm Blade length: 15 cm Maximum blade width: 4.8 cm 2. Yanagiba knife – Yoshitomo-saku The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Yanagiba slicing knife. The blade bears the inscription: "義友作" – Yoshitomo-saku The final character "作" means "made by" and forms part of the original maker-style inscription. The actual maker, manufacturing period, and provenance have not been independently verified. The Yanagiba is distinguished by its long, narrow blade and pointed tip, traditionally associated with making smooth, controlled cuts when preparing sashimi and other Japanese fish dishes. The knife retains a wooden handle with a metallic-looking ferrule. Its slender blade and traditional form provide an interesting contrast with the broader Deba knife. The blade shows scratches, rubbing marks, surface discoloration, oxidation, and other signs of previous use. The cutting edge and tip show wear and damage, including chipping. The handle and ferrule also show age-related imperfections. Approximate dimensions: Overall length: 37 cm Blade length: 23 cm Maximum blade width: 3 cm All dimensions are approximate estimates based on the photographs and are not direct physical measurements. 3. Condition and restoration requirements Both knives are vintage, previously used Japanese kitchen knives. Their condition includes rust, dirt, oxidation, scratches, rubbing marks, surface wear, and other signs of age. There is damage to the cutting edges, including chips, and damage to the tips. The ferrules show dirt, scratches, dents, and misalignment. The wooden handles show dirt, scratches, wear, and other age-related imperfections. The blades have not been professionally restored or certified as ready for immediate use. Sharpening is required before use. Additional cleaning, rust removal, repair, restoration, or component replacement may also be necessary. Please carefully examine all photographs, especially the blade surfaces, cutting edges, damaged tips, inscriptions, ferrules, and wooden handles. The photographs form an essential part of the item description. 4. Collector appeal This set offers an interesting combination of two traditional Japanese kitchen knife forms. The Deba, bearing the inscriptions "伊吹" and "関孫六", represents the broad-bladed style traditionally associated with fish preparation. The Yanagiba, bearing the inscription "義友作", represents the slender, elongated style traditionally associated with sashimi preparation. Their contrasting profiles, traditional wooden handles, and surviving Japanese inscriptions make this set interesting from the perspective of Japanese culinary history and vintage cutlery collecting. Both knives show substantial evidence of previous use and age, making them particularly suitable for collectors who appreciate the preservation and restoration of traditional Japanese kitchen tools. --- Important notice – Please read carefully before bidding No shipping to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States (USA). Bidding and payment Please do not place a bid unless you genuinely intend to complete the purchase and payment. By placing a bid, you confirm your intention to pay for the item if you win the auction. Failure to complete payment may result in cancellation in accordance with Catawiki's policies. Condition of vintage items All knives are vintage, previously used items, sold in their present condition. They may have rust, corrosion, scratches, chips, worn cutting edges, damaged tips, surface discoloration, deteriorated wooden handles, and damaged, loose, or misaligned ferrules. Please note that defects which cannot be identified from the photographs may also exist. These may include hidden corrosion, cracks, looseness, damage to the tangs, deterioration inside the wooden handles, or other structural problems. The blades and handles have not been fully disassembled or internally inspected. The knives are not guaranteed to be safe or ready for immediate use. Cleaning, sharpening, repair, restoration, adjustment, or replacement of components may be required. Important requirements for bidders Please bid only if you personally possess the necessary knowledge, experience, practical skills, and ability to carry out cleaning, sharpening, repair, and restoration yourself. Buyers must be capable of performing these tasks themselves when necessary. If you do not have the practical ability to repair, restore, sharpen, and maintain vintage Japanese kitchen knives yourself, please refrain from bidding. These knives are not intended for buyers who expect fully restored, maintenance-free, or immediately ready-to-use kitchen knives. Please examine every photograph carefully before bidding. The photographs form an essential part of the item description, and the condition must be evaluated with full consideration of the knives' age and previous use. Important notice regarding wooden handles Traditional Japanese kitchen knives commonly feature replaceable wooden handles. Wooden handles may become dry, loose, cracked, weakened, or damaged through age, storage, previous use, or international transportation. Ferrules may also become loose, damaged, or misaligned. Even when a handle appears securely attached before shipment, its condition may change during transportation. The buyer must understand that handle adjustment, reattachment, repair, or complete replacement may be necessary. Only buyers with the knowledge and practical ability to carry out such work themselves should bid. Replacement handles and repair materials are not included unless specifically stated. Shipping restrictions All kitchen knives are shipped from Japan via Japan Post or DHL. We do not ship kitchen knives to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Shipping to other countries may also be restricted depending on local laws, customs regulations, international postal procedures, and the availability of suitable shipping services. If lawful and compliant shipping cannot be arranged, cancellation may be necessary in accordance with Catawiki's policies. International shipping and customs Buyers are responsible for confirming that the importation of kitchen knives is permitted in their destination country before placing a bid. Customs clearance requirements vary by country. Buyers must cooperate with customs authorities, postal operators, and delivery companies when additional information, documentation, or payment is required. Import duties, VAT, and customs clearance fees not already collected at checkout may be payable by the buyer. The seller cannot directly control customs inspections, import procedures, or delays caused by destination-country authorities. Shipping availability may change due to international circumstances, changes in import regulations, postal restrictions, or transportation disruptions. Delivery times Estimated international delivery time is approximately three to four weeks, depending on the destination and customs procedures. Delivery times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed. Please note that delivery to Italy may take one month or longer because of customs processing and postal delays. Combined shipping Due to the nature of kitchen knives and the importance of smooth international customs handling, each order is normally shipped separately. Combined shipping is not offered as a standard service. Returned parcels and reshipping If a parcel is returned because the buyer refuses delivery, fails to complete customs clearance, does not provide requested documentation, does not pay applicable import charges, or fails to collect the parcel, reshipping will be considered individually. Any reshipment must be agreed upon in advance. Additional reshipping costs are normally the buyer's responsibility, subject to Catawiki's policies and applicable law. Refunds, cancellations, and other remedies will be handled in accordance with Catawiki's policies and applicable law. International circumstances and force majeure International conflicts, sanctions, natural disasters, customs restrictions, postal suspensions, and other circumstances beyond the seller's reasonable control may affect the ability to ship or deliver an item. If shipping becomes impossible, the situation will be handled in accordance with Catawiki's policies and applicable law. Final confirmation before bidding By placing a bid, you acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed and understood the complete product description, all photographs, disclosed defects, shipping restrictions, and important notices. You understand that these are vintage, previously used knives which may require cleaning, sharpening, repair, restoration, or replacement of components. You also acknowledge that additional defects not visible in photographs may exist. Please bid only if you personally have the knowledge, experience, and practical ability to perform the necessary cleaning, sharpening, repairs, and restoration yourself. If you cannot perform these tasks yourself, please refrain from bidding. These notices do not exclude or limit any mandatory rights provided under applicable law or Catawiki's policies.