Metalwork

Shonai Cutlery

庄内刃物

RegionYamagata — 三川町・鶴岡市
Originsc. 1700
StatusRegional traditional craft

About Shonai Cutlery

Shonai cutlery are forged bladed tools produced around Mikawa Town and Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. Since the Edo period, knives including sickles, kitchen knives, and deba (heavy-duty fish knives) have been made to meet the demands of Shonai's agriculture and fishing industries. Against the background of the rich agricultural culture of the Shonai Plain, it produces a wide range of cutting tools from agricultural blades to kitchen knives. Characterized by robust construction suited to the climate of the Japan Sea coast.

Techniques & Materials

Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.

Techniques

鍛造焼き入れ研磨仕上げ

Materials

軟鉄

Where it is made

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