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Please consider this possibility before placing a bid. --- Vintage Japanese Nakiri and Takohiki Kitchen Knife Set – "特製" (Specially Made) / "重政" (Shigemasa) – Two Traditional Japanese Knives Country of origin: Japan Number of knives: 2 Types: Nakiri and Takohiki Blade material: Metal (exact steel composition unverified) Handle material: Wood Condition: Vintage, pre-owned, with age-related wear and damage Product description Offered for auction is an interesting set of two traditional Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a broad-bladed Nakiri vegetable knife with the stamped marking "特製" (Specially Made), and a long, slender Takohiki slicing knife bearing the Japanese inscription "重政" (Shigemasa). These two knives represent contrasting traditions within Japanese culinary cutlery, each designed for a different type of food preparation. The Nakiri is characterized by its broad, rectangular blade and relatively straight cutting edge, traditionally used for preparing vegetables in Japanese households and professional kitchens. The Takohiki features an exceptionally long, narrow blade with a squared-off tip, a traditional style associated with slicing fish and preparing sashimi. Both knives retain wooden handles with dark ferrules and exhibit the distinctive appearance of vintage Japanese kitchen tools, including surface patina and signs of previous use. Their contrasting shapes, surviving inscriptions, and traditional designs make this set an interesting addition to a collection of Japanese cutlery. 1. Nakiri knife – "特製" (Specially Made), maker unknown The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Nakiri vegetable knife. Its broad, rectangular blade and relatively straight cutting edge are characteristic of the Nakiri style, developed for efficient and controlled vegetable preparation. The blade bears the stamped Japanese characters: "特製" These characters mean "Specially Made" or "Special Production". The original maker's name cannot be confidently identified, and the manufacturer remains unknown. The blade shows visible age-related oxidation, rust, discoloration, scratches, rubbing marks, and wear. There are also chips and irregularities along the cutting edge. The knife retains a traditional wooden handle and a dark ferrule, both showing signs of age and previous use. Its broad blade, surviving stamped marking, and aged surface make it an interesting example of traditional Japanese kitchenware. Approximate dimensions: Overall length: 31 cm Blade length: 17 cm Maximum blade width: 4.7 cm 2. Takohiki knife – "重政" (Shigemasa) The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Takohiki slicing knife. The blade bears the Japanese inscription: "重政" This may be read as "Shigemasa". The inscription is reproduced as it appears on the blade. The exact maker, manufacturing date, and provenance have not been independently verified. The Takohiki is distinguished by its long, slender blade and squared-off tip, a form traditionally associated with the careful slicing of fish for sashimi. Its extended cutting edge is characteristic of Japanese slicing knives designed for long, controlled cutting movements. The knife retains a traditional wooden handle with a dark ferrule. The blade exhibits rust, oxidation, scratches, surface discoloration, rubbing marks, and wear consistent with age and previous use. Chipping and wear along the cutting edge may require sharpening and restoration. The long, narrow blade and surviving inscription give this knife particular interest as a vintage Japanese culinary tool. Approximate dimensions: Overall length: 40 cm Blade length: 26 cm Maximum blade width: 2.1 cm All measurements are approximate estimates based on the photographs and have not been physically verified. The exact manufacturing dates, makers, provenance, and steel compositions of these knives have not been independently established. 3. Condition and restoration requirements Both knives are vintage, previously used Japanese kitchen knives and show visible signs of age, use, and storage. Their condition includes rust, oxidation, dirt, scratches, rubbing marks, discoloration, and general surface wear. There are chips and irregularities along the cutting edges. The ferrules show age-related dirt, scratches, chips, and misalignment. The wooden handles show dirt, scratches, wear, and other age-related imperfections. The Nakiri blade has noticeable darkened areas, corrosion, and surface deterioration. The Takohiki blade also shows darkening, oxidation, and surface wear, particularly along its elongated blade. The blades and handles have not been fully disassembled or internally inspected. Both knives require sharpening before use. Cleaning, rust removal, repair, restoration, handle adjustment, or replacement of components may also be necessary. Please examine all photographs carefully, especially the cutting edges, blade surfaces, inscriptions, ferrules, and wooden handles. The photographs form an essential part of the item description. 4. Collector appeal This set combines two distinctly different forms of traditional Japanese kitchen knives. The Nakiri, marked "特製", represents the broad-bladed vegetable knife traditionally associated with Japanese food preparation. The Takohiki, bearing the inscription "重政", represents the long, slender slicing knife traditionally associated with sashimi preparation. Both knives retain traditional wooden handles and display the aged appearance of previously used Japanese kitchen tools. The surviving markings, contrasting blade profiles, and traditional construction make this set interesting for collectors of Japanese cutlery, traditional culinary equipment, and vintage kitchenware. These knives may also appeal to experienced enthusiasts interested in the careful restoration and preservation of traditional Japanese blades. --- 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.