Recognising Japanese Forging Excellence at the Tokyo Gift Show At the Tokyo International Gift Show in February 2025 — Japan’s largest trade exhibition featuring over 2,700 exhibitors—Yoshioka Hamono’s “Kuroco Pointed Tip Pruning Scissors” received the highly esteemed LIFE✖️Design Award for Best Takumi (Master Artisan) Craft. This award is given to a select few brands that represent the highest levels of traditional craftsmanship and innovation in design. This honour is far more than a trophy. It acknowledges a centuries-old Japanese forging technique that is now critically endangered—one that is rooted in samurai sword-making and carried forward by only a handful of blacksmiths. What Makes Kuroco Pointed Tip Pruning Scissors so Unique? The Kuroco Pointed Tip Scissors stand ... Continue Reading
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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