Caring for Your garden Scissors and Tools
A Guide to Daily & Monthly Maintenance Keeping your tools in good condition doesn’t just extend their life—it helps them work better, feel better in hand, and reflect the value of the craftsmanship behind them. Whether it’s secateurs, shears, or knives, proper maintenance keeps them ready to perform and reduces long-term wear. Here’s how we […]
Are You Making Miso Soup Right? The Real Secret Behind Its Flavour
Miso soup looks simple. Just miso paste, hot water, maybe a few ingredients… and done. But if you’ve ever wondered why it sometimes tastes a little flat, a little too salty, or just not quite right—you’re not alone. Because the truth is: Miso soup isn’t built on miso. It’s built on something else entirely. The […]
Standard vs Single Seed Oyster Knife
Choosing the Right Tool for the Oysters You Love There’s a moment, just before an oyster opens, where everything comes down to feel. A slight resistance. A gentle twist. Then—release. For those who seek out exceptional oysters—whether it’s a Coffin Bay oyster from South Australia, a Gillardeau from France, or a Kumamoto from the Pacific […]
Cloud Pruning with Craig Sullivan in Adelaide
Celebrating Craftsmanship, Garden Artistry, and Tools That Inspire I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Adelaide to support a cloud pruning workshop hosted by the award-winning topiary artist Craig Sullivan of Hedgehogs Gardens. Craig is known for his remarkable ability to transform ordinary trees into living works of art. His expertise in cloud pruning […]
Time to Do Winter Pruning – Here Are the Essentials
It’s the end of May, and that means for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter pruning season has arrived. Whether you’re cutting back deciduous trees, shaping citrus, or tidying up spent growth, this is the season when having the right tool in your hand makes all the difference. This winter, we’re highlighting […]
Yoshioka Hamono’s Kuroco Garden Shears Win LIFE x Design Award for Master Artisan Craft
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 […]
Tea, Tools, and Tradition: A Garden Tool Care Workshop at Kings Cross Community Garden
On a crisp Autumn morning in Sydney—after a week of relentless rain—we were fortunate to be welcomed by sunshine and the warm company of fellow gardening enthusiasts at Kings Cross Community Garden. The occasion? A garden tool care workshop followed by a hands-on introduction to our handcrafted Japanese gardening tools and Japanese craftsmanship. What made […]
How to Shuck Oysters Like a Pro at Home
Shucking oysters at home might seem tricky, but with the right technique and tools, it’s easier than you think! Whether you’re preparing a seafood platter, impressing guests at a dinner party, or just craving fresh oysters, learning how to shuck oysters safely is essential. By following these steps, you can not only shuck oysters quickly […]
Garden 5 at Berry Gardens Festival – 17-20 October 2024
We’re thrilled to announce that Shokunin Store will be part of the Berry Gardens Festival this week! Come visit us at the stunning Garden 5, Berry Beach Holiday Cottage – Glenn and Doreen’s garden oasis, located at 10 Coolaroo Place, Berry. This is your chance to experience our unique collection of artisan tools up close. […]
Premium Nori Seaweed: The Fine Wine of the Sea
Just like the world’s finest wines, our premium nori seaweed is not just any nori—it’s sourced from Mikuniya, a company renowned for its exceptional quality and deep expertise in selecting the very best seaweed. In the same way that the quality of wine begins with the careful selection of grapes at the perfect moment, the […]