When it comes to your garden and floral scissors, the handle material can make a world of difference. Many ask us about our Kuroco Pruning Scissors, which come in two fabulous options: leather and non-leather. Both have their unique perks, catering to different tastes and needs. Let’s dive in and help you pick the perfect pair! Leather Handles: Luxe and Lovable Why Choose Leather Handles? Ideal For: The fashion-forward gardener who values comfort and looks. If you’re all about those Instagram-worthy garden shots, leather is your BFF. Non-Leather Handles: Practical and Powerful Why Choose Non-Leather Handles? Ideal For: The practical gardener who values ease and durability. If you’re all about getting the job done, rain or shine, non-leather is your ... Continue Reading
Blog
Why You Should Buy Unopened Oysters
The Freshness Factor When it comes to oysters, freshness is paramount. Buying them unopened ensures they are alive, which is essential for both flavour and safety. Closed shells mean the oysters are still alive, preserving their briny, oceanic taste. Who doesn’t prefer the freshest seafood possible? An opened shell can indicate the oyster is dead, leading to a loss of flavour and potential health risks. A True Taste of the Sea Unopened oysters are like nature’s time capsules, offering a pristine taste of the sea. Once shucked, you get to experience the full, unadulterated flavour that can transport you to the ocean’s edge with just one bite. You know you’ve always wanted to have a go at shucking your own oysters. While lemon juice and salmon roe are popular toppings, try them the ... Continue Reading
10 Reasons to Add Our Quality Sushi Nori to Your Daily Diet
Premium Premium Sushi Nori is not just tasty but there are amazing health benefits that most people don't know about. Here are the benefits of taking this Japanese delicacy into your daily diet. 1. Vitamin C for beautiful skin Nori contains more vitamin C than mandarin oranges, which helps reduce melanin production, prevents skin spots, and fades existing spots. Unlike other sources of vitamin C that are destroyed by heat cooking, Nori's vitamin C is heat resistant and allows for efficient intake. 2. Dietary fiber cleans you out! Nori is rich in dietary fiber, which aids in normalizing bowel movements, relieving constipation, lowering blood cholesterol, and preventing diseases like colon cancer. Nori has softer fiber compared to vegetables, making it easier on the stomach ... Continue Reading
Eat More oily Fish for a Healthier Heart
Did you know that eating oily fish like salmon and mackerel can significantly reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes? Recent studies have found that people with a family history of heart disease can lower their risk by up to 40% by consuming more omega-3 fatty acids found in these fish. The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA, are essential fats that our bodies can't produce on their own, making dietary intake crucial. These fatty acids play a vital role in maintaining cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation, lowering triglyceride levels, and improving overall heart function. Incorporating these oily fish into your diet is a delicious and effective way to boost your heart health. Research Findings A study published in the Journal ... Continue Reading
Gardening Greats and Japanese Crafts: Highlights from the Melbourne Flower Show 2024
Our team has just returned to Sydney after showcasing our finest at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2024, and we’re excited to share highlights from our latest adventure. Participating in the MIFGS 2024 wasn't just an opportunity for us—it was a responsibility we felt deeply. Representing the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship in gardening tools on this global stage is a duty we owe to the incredibly talented artisans whose life's work is encapsulated in every tool we present. This event was more than just a showcase; it was a testament to the unparalleled quality and enduring legacy of the craftsmanship we are honored to bring to garden enthusiasts around the world. Location: We ventured to the stunning Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens again ... Continue Reading
Winner of the Best Sustainable Garden Product Award at MIFGS 2023
Breaking: Celebrating our win for Best Sustainable Garden Product Award at MIFGS ... Continue Reading
This is your chance to win one of our best sellers.
This is an exciting announcement that you have a chance to win our best selling secateurs. That is right, people of Victoria. We are coming to Melbourne International Garden and Flower Show 2023 (MIFGS2023) to see you. This is so exciting. Not only because it’s the largest garden show in the southern hemisphere and the venue is none other than the magnificent, UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in the heart of beautiful city of Melbourne, Victoria. But this is our rare opportunity to see our supporters in person. To celebrate our first participation to this event, we are inviting you for a lucky draw to win one of our best selling professional tools, Pruning Shears Black Masamune. All you have to do is come and see us at D24 on Southern ... Continue Reading
Things You Didn’t Know About Camellia Oil
Our customers buy this camellia oil primarily for the scissors they purchase. But should it just be used as tool oil? What else is camellia oil good for? One thing I want to shout in bold here is that our camellia oil is edible grade. So it is actually ideal to eat but at least use on your hands, hair, heels, elbows, lips… everywhere on your body. What is more unknown is that camellia oil contains fat called oleic acid and that is the closest fat to human skin, more than any other oils available. It is the most natural oil you can consume. Good Oil Made Available by Good People Japanese have used this for 1,200 years. Our oil comes from an NPO in Kagoshima where one of the most active volcanoes is in the world. The community there is too often threatened by eruptions which ... Continue Reading
How not to be “cheated” by your stainless steel products
I live in Sydney. My kitchen has a mishmash of stainless steel products - some I bring from Japan and some I buy from Australia (most of those are probably not made here I'd say). I don't think anybody checks what kind of stainless steel a dish rack or mixing bowl are made of when you buy them. Do you? I certainly don't. Even if I may know a bit more than your average consumer since steel is part of my business, I still get "cheated" by products in disguise. You only realise that some are better than others after a time. I took this photo as it shows my point; not all stainless steels are the same and kitchen products should not be made with low grade stainless steel that rust so easily. How long did I use these? Maybe 10 years. The main dish rack is from here in Sydney and I ... Continue Reading
Which Secateurs Should You Choose?
Ok. There are so many different types of secateurs here I know. Some of you may be at a loss as to which secateurs are the best for you. Your Safest BetThis new arrival "Ergonomic Stainless Steel" is your safest bet - unless you are left handed. This is great if you are a garden professional, florist or weekend gardener. It suits both men and women. If you are choosing a gift for someone, especially if you feel you have less knowledge than the person receiving the gift, you can’t go wrong with this one. The offset handle is designed for easy grip allowing all your grip strength to be focused on the blades. "Ergonomic Stainless Steel" is stainless steel. This means that this tool not only works brilliantly, you’ll get to be a little lazy as well. It requires less maintenance as it is ... Continue Reading
Which one would you like for Christmas?
Here are some of our beautiful garden tools from Toyama. They are some of the highest quality secateurs available in the world. It is hard to pick one but if you must, which one would you choose? You can’t go wrong with stainless steel but some people just love the look of charcoal coloured handle. One of these has been chosen by “Nikkei Trendy” magazine (Japanese marketers bible) as “100 items to have in your lifetime”, alongside stationery, kitchen utensil, clothing or electronic device. Would you guess which one? I‘ll give you a hint - its offset handle has won a prestigious award for its brilliant functionality and ergonomic design. ... Continue Reading
Perfect Timing for Christmas Shopping
We are so excited because you'll find us in the Xmas issues of Belle and House & Garden! Belle magazine has picked our secateurs with walnut inlay handle (T-101) and Floral Scissors Koryu Style (T-9). Thanks to super cool ladies of Belle, Tanya the editor in chief and Janice the senior copy editor, who not just only supported us with the editorial articles but they bought a few pairs of secateurs themselves. That is the best compliment you can get! ... Continue Reading
Chosen by Garden Professionals – Camel Leather Handle Secateurs
Have you ever tried Japanese secateurs? If not, you have to try these beautiful, sharp, sturdy and big secateurs. We have just welcomed a few new products that arrived from Japan which will make perfect Christmas gifts for garden enthusiasts. First up, these top of the range secateurs from Toyama's "SYU" brand. Larger blade and durability aren't the only good things about this product. Its camel coloured leather handle is sturdy and ages beautifully with time. These are extremely popular with gift seekers who are highly design concious. As beautiful as they look, this is a serious professional tool; they are one of Toyama's most sort after secateurs by garden professionals. Replacement parts (spring, nut and bolt) included. Comes in a beautiful black gift box. Any garden enthuriasts ... Continue Reading
How to Tell Your Axe is Made in Japan
We love this beautiful small axe made in Japan by Mizuno's traditional craft master. Just look at it. So beautiful that its easy to forget it’s a dangerous tool. When we found this axe at a trade show in Japan, we thought those slots on the head were just a design element. Until the manufacturer told us that they are there for a reason. Apparently each slot represents an ancient Japanese god and it is a superstitious belief that these gods would protect axe users from accidents. There are three on the left side and four on the right. Forestry work can be dangerous so it is a good reminder to be careful. So if you see those seven slots on an axe, you know that is an old Japanese tradition that has been passed on to this day. For those who like a bit of trivia, the centre of the picture ... Continue Reading
Where do Japanese artisan steel products come from?
Scissors, knives, sickles, axes, chisels, nail clippers.... Japan and Germany are the two big names when it comes to good quality steel blade products. In Japan there has never been a clear distinction between art, craft and design. Generations of artisans have refined their skills, which are admired around the world, to the point where a product intended for everyday use could equally be worthy of museum display. There are seven regions that are famous for forged steel blade products in Japan. It is hard to determine which region is the best as each has their own strengths. Sakai, for example, is best known for professional chefs knives while Takefu, Yasugi and Tosa are more known for quality agricultural or forestry tools. Craftsmanship of Seki blades is derived from centuries of ... Continue Reading
Floral Scissors and Ikebana #1
Shokunin Store has two different shapes of scissors used for "Ikebana", traditional Japanese art of flower arrangements. The one with big looped handles (Tsuru-te) is called the "Koryu" style, and the other with curled ends (Warabi-te) is called the "Ikenobo" style. There are many "schools" of flower arrangements in Japan today. Three most known schools are; Ikenobo, Sogetsu and Ohara with the first one being the oldest. Each has their own philosophy and rules on shapes, lines or angles. Even the tools they use are different. The school of Ikenobo uses the "Ikenobo" style with the big loops, while the other two prefer the "Koryu" style scissors. For those of you who are wondering, "Warabi" is a bracken fern (its curled head), "Tsuru" is a vine or climbing stem of plants, and "te" ... Continue Reading
Staying Home?
If you are staying home, let's make it a positive thing. Why not try creating a bonsai? We have a perfect tool to get you started or send a gift to someone who would appreciate it. These tools are small in size but there is nothing miniature about their quality. ... Continue Reading
Autumn in Japan
Many people want to come to Japan for sakura (cherry blossoms) but Autumn is as beautiful as spring if you want to visit gardens in Japan. Don't battle the crowds in the most famous gardens. Instead, take the time to seek out the many less visited Japanese gardens as they are equally beautiful but considerably more serene. ... Continue Reading