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
Blog
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
It’s Sakura Season!
Since our last post the winter has past. Sakura season is here. To celebrate this we have added some beautiful metal working tools from Mizuno to our stable. These tools are handmade by certified Mizuno artisan using high grade Japanese steel. When I first saw these tools I had the urge to pick them up and hold them. One can feel the workmanship and like many of these handmade items, they would make beautiful ornaments alone. Its cliched but we always say, "seeing these items is nothing like holding them". In other news we have a completely water proof backpack that can literally be cleaned inside and out using a hose. This is great for anyone carrying anything needed to be kept dry - That means everyone!. This backpack will be added to the store over the next week. Let us know if ... Continue Reading
What’s Next
After the fanfare of our opening and the holiday season chaos, we at the Shokuninstore have settle in to 2018 and added some special items to our stable. The Mizuno Axe from Niigata is beautifully crafted using Japanese oak and fine Japanese steel. Four slots on the head represent ancient gods. This hatchet is an aesthetic and ergonomic beauty. The Murago Tabi from Okayama. The unique hardtoe, waterproof version is extremely funtional and could equally be at home in a fashion footwear boutique. The high top version of the Tabi is the tradition workwear footwear of many Japanese workers. Today its design and simplistic beauty lend it to dress footwear. The Hidehisa Leaf and Knob Floral Scissors are our lastest items from Hidehisa. These are simply beautiful to use and hold. ... Continue Reading