Explanations for each knife follow.

The Nakiri-bocho (literal translation: knife for cutting greens) with its thin straight blade is an excellent tool to chop vegetables. Fast, rythmic and full chopping strokes right down to the board are possible thanks to its lightweight and wide blade design. The Nakiri-bocho is Japan’s oldest knife design and a must have in any kitchen worldwide. Several centuries of experience and how-how have gone into perfecting this knife.

• Blade length: 165mm (6.5in)
• Blade width: 52mm (2.0in)
• Knife weight: 143g (5.0oz)

In Japanese cuisine, it all begins with the pinnacle of the Japanese chef’s craft: sashimi. A delicacy of fresh seafood evenly sliced and plated with wasabi and shoyu (soya sauce), sashimi is served before the main dishes, allowing each and every morsel to be savored and enjoyed to its utmost. The beauty, simplicity and texture of sashimi is unlike anything else.

The Yanagi-bocho (literal translation: willow blade) is the only tool for preparing fresh sashimi. For connoisseurs, this knife, above all others, encapsulates the very essence of Japanese knife design and craftsmanship. The Kuromori Yanagi-bocho’s blade measures 240mm (9.5in), the industry standard length for sushi chefs that allows for extended, single fluid strokes through the fish. This famous Japanese knife’s defining characteristic is its single edge, allowing for greater pitch and, as a result, finer slices of fresh raw fish (sashimi).

• Blade length: 240mm (9.5in), Japanese industry standard
• Knife weight: 140g (4.9oz)
• Japanese shitan (rosewood) handle with its teardrop-shape and distinct ridge makes it very comfortable to hold (right-handed only). For left-handed users, please contact us for options.

The Deba-bocho (literal translation: pointed carving knife) is the the preferred fillet tool for traders working at Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji fish market. It’s built strong to cut through the toughest food material such as poultry bone, lobster shells, frozen fish, and pumpkin. The UJ Kuromori Yanagi-bocho’s blade measures 165mm and weighs an impressive 315g (11.1oz).

This famous Japanese knife’s defining characteristic is its single edge, allowing for greater pitch and, as a result, effortlessly tear through intended tasks. Keep in mind that the part of the blade nearest the handle is meant to cut thorugh bones, not the tip of the knife. Chefs need not be concerned about chipping with this incredibly durable knife.

• Blade length: 165mm (6.5in)
• Knife weight: 315g (11.1oz)

This kitchen knife was produced by Kirin Hamono exclusively for Unique Japan. Kirin Hamono has been crafting quality kitchen knives in Japan for more than 130 years – having established their guild just after the Meiji Restoration in 1868. This is a significant time in Japanese history as it marked the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and with it Japanese swords (katana) were no longer permitted to be worn in public by Samurai.

These knives are born by swordsmiths who simply channeled their katana expertise towards cutlery production to meet a new set of timely demands. Craftsmen working at Kirin Hamono STILL USE sword-making techniques to this day to forge kitchen knives, and are one of the last remaining workshops in Japan proudly doing so.

Kirin knives have been used by many top chefs in Japan that include Nobuo Murakami, the former head chef at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel and Komei Nakamura who was a champion Iron Chef. A “Kirin” is Japan’s most powerful fire-breathing mythical creature that is said to bring a good omen.

The name Kuromori means “Black Forest” and was inspired by the classic samurai code of ethics and conduct known as Hagakure – which translates to “Hidden among the Leaves”. Each knife is created with handcrafted construction techniques used when forging a traditional Japanese samurai sword (katana). The result are impeccably sharp and lightweight knives that performs its intended purpose with incredible precision.

PAYING RESPECT

The Japanese kanji characters engraved on the knife spell out the name of Ohyama Eiju, a masterclass craftsman who lived in Koshinokuni. Each knife pays homage to the pioneers of supreme samurai-sword making craftsmanship. The UJ stamp below the characters gives the owner confidence in knowing that this knife is a genuine handcrafted product of Japan and meets the highest standards.

The Yanagi-bocho and the Nakiri-bocho both feature a teardrop-shaped rosewood handle has a well-defined ridge along its side that fits perfectly in hand, as well stabilizes the blade, preventing it from turning and twisting mid-stroke. The Deba-bocho’s handle features a traditional oval shape. All knives are extremely comfortable and natural to hold and meant to use by right-handed individuals. For left-handed users, we can produce this set for no additional cost. Please contact us to order.

Hand-forged kitchen knives created in the ancient city of Takefu represent Japanese craftsmanship at its very finest. Dating back almost seven centuries to 1337, master swordsmith Chiyozuru Kuniyasu traveled from Kyoto to the Fukui prefecture looking for water most suitable to forge his samurai swords. His search ended in Koshinokuni, which later grew to be Takefu city.

• Handcrafted in Takefu using traditional Japanese sword-making techniques (watch video)
• Produced from extremely high quality VG-10 stainless steel
• Blade contains high levels of Carbon (1%) for strength and Chromium (15%) that gives it excellent stain resistance. Other elements in this unique steel fomulation include Vanadium, Molybdenum and Cobalt.
• Hardened to HRC 60-61 (Rockwell Scale)
• Unique personalized engraving services are available on the blade of this knife (we will phonetically translate the desired name into Japanese characters). Just $10 for the set!
• Each knife has its own unique character that is strikingly evident – no two knives are alike.
• Each knife holds the soul and energy of the men and women who personally handcrafted it.

• Genuine Handcrafted UJ Kuromori Nakiri-bocho, Yanagi-bocho and Deba-bocho from Takefu, Japan
• Plastic Sheaths to Keep Each Blade Safe
• All three knives Beautifully and Securely Packaged in a Wood Box
• One Suehiro Roll Sharpener (For Single and Double-edge Blades) Absolutely Free
• Securely Packaged in Boxs with Printed Japanese Caligraphy on Cover
• Printed Knife Care Instructions Included
• Comprehensive Product Description (text that appears on this page)

• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• 110% Money Back Guarantee
• Payments: Fully Secure through PayPal (accepting all major credit cards and debit cards)
• Deliveries within Japan: Absolutely free. Shipments generally arrive within 1-2 days once dispatched.
• International Express Delivery: Shipment is sent via EMS (Express Mail Service) for only $59.99 from Japan. Normally arrives within 4 days once dispatched. Track and trace code provided.
• Authenticity: Guaranteed. A knife purchased from Unique Japan is a genuine Japanese master craftsmanship investment. These knives are simply the best Japan has to offer.