Umemoto Honkane Hasami Seisakujo | Tanebocho Small 12cm

"Umeki Hon Tane Hasami Seisakusho" is a workshop located on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture.
This is a 12cm Tane Knife made by master blacksmith Shoji Umeki.

Tanegashima Island has a history of swordsmithing and gunsmithing. Each knife is meticulously hand-forged using blacksmithing techniques that have been passed down through generations over a long period.

Mr. Umeki is the sole apprentice of Yoshifumi Makise, the 37th generation master who has continued to preserve the traditions and techniques of Tane scissors and Tane knives. He continues to carry on these skills without interruption.

Along with Tane scissors, Tane knives have been designated as a "traditional craft" by Kagoshima Prefecture.

Strong and flexible blade

The 12cm blade offers excellent maneuverability as a petty knife. It's the perfect size for detailed tasks like peeling fruit, removing tomato stems, coring lemons, and preparing finely sliced meat.

A petty knife is a convenient addition to your main knife. It expands your cooking possibilities and makes your work much smoother. For single-person households or compact kitchens, this one knife can sufficiently handle daily cooking tasks. It's easy to handle and fits comfortably in your hand.

"Fire-forging and hammering to temper" – the Tane knives made by Mr. Umeki depend on the craftsman's experience and intuition for their finish, as the properties of the blade change with heating temperature, fire application, and hammering. Finally, the craftsman himself hand-sharpens each knife, creating a strong, flexible blade with exceptional sharpness. The sharpness that enhances the flavor of ingredients without crushing their fibers makes everyday cooking more delicious.

Resharpening Service

To ensure you can use your knife for many years, we offer a resharpening maintenance service by Mr. Umeki. While round-trip shipping and maintenance fees will be borne by the customer, we will resharpen the knife. Please contact our shop if you wish to use this service.

---

[Size (approx.)] Overall length 240mm (blade length approx. 120mm)
[Weight (approx.)] 66g
[Materials] Blade: Yasuki Steel White Paper #2, Iron; Handle: Ho wood; Fastener: Plastic
[Specifications] Double-edged, Kuro-uchi finish
[Country of origin] Japan

● Precautions for Use
・The blade is sharp, so please handle it with extreme care.
・Do not try to cut hard objects forcefully. This may chip the blade.
・After use, wipe off moisture and dry thoroughly.
・If not using for an extended period, apply a thin coat of cooking oil over the entire blade before storing.

● Before Purchasing
・Since each item is handmade, there may be slight individual differences in size and shape.
・Due to the use of natural wood, there may be variations in wood grain and color.
"Umeki Hon Tane Hasami Seisakusho" is a workshop located on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Yoshifumi Makise, the 37th generation master who preserved the tradition and techniques of Tane scissors and Tane knives, passed away in 2016. Currently, Shoji Umeki, the sole apprentice of the 37th generation, inherits these traditional skills and is the only craftsman who can create Tane scissors and Tane knives using traditional methods.

Click here for a list of works by Umeki Hon Tane Hasami Seisakusho
Click here for a look at the workshop

---

[From left: Tane Knife Small 12cm, Large 18cm, Medium 15cm]
The brand stamp and handle may show individual differences characteristic of handmade products.