{"product_id":"sakimaru","title":"【Made to Order】Shotaro Nomura 270mm Left-Handed Sakimaru Takohiki - White #2 (Shirogami #2) Kasumi Finish with Signed Saya","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e【Made to Order \/ Request Order】\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eThis knife is made to order after your request is confirmed. It is not a regular ready-stock item. Each piece is prepared individually upon order.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Traditional Sakai Sashimi Knife, Made for the Left Hand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA true left-handed traditional Japanese knife is more than a conventional knife with the handle changed or the edge sharpened differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a single-bevel knife, the geometry of the blade itself must be created for the intended hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003e270mm Left-Handed Sakimaru Takohiki\u003c\/strong\u003e is built accordingly, with its single-bevel construction, ura, blade geometry, and sharpening configured specifically for left-handed use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor chefs who have had to adapt to right-handed Japanese knives, this distinction is fundamental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSakimaru Takohiki — Elegance in a Traditional Sashimi Knife\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Takohiki is a traditional single-bevel sashimi knife historically associated particularly with the Kanto region of Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSakimaru\u003c\/strong\u003e form gives the blade its distinctive rounded, sword-inspired profile at the tip, creating a graceful silhouette that sets it apart from the more familiar pointed Yanagiba.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts long, narrow blade is designed for controlled slicing through fish with a smooth drawing motion, helping create clean, refined cuts while minimizing unnecessary damage to the delicate flesh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003e270mm\u003c\/strong\u003e, this knife offers a practical balance between the long slicing stroke expected from a professional sashimi knife and maneuverability in the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSharpened and Finished by Traditional Craftsman Shotaro Nomura\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is sharpened and finished by \u003cstrong\u003eShotaro Nomura, a nationally recognized Traditional Craftsman of Sakai\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn traditional Sakai knife making, sharpening is not simply the final act of making an edge sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sharpener establishes and refines the blade geometry — the bevel, thickness, taper, ura, and overall balance that determine how the knife actually performs in the hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fine steel alone does not make a fine Japanese knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe ability to translate the potential of that steel into geometry, balance, and cutting performance is where the skill of the sharpener becomes visible.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an essential part of what distinguishes Nomura's work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhite #2 — A Classic Carbon Steel for Traditional Japanese Knives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cutting core is made from \u003cstrong\u003eWhite #2 (Shirogami #2)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the classic carbon steels associated with traditional Japanese cutlery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts relatively simple, high-purity composition allows it to take an exceptionally fine edge when properly heat-treated and sharpened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also responds beautifully to whetstones, making it particularly well suited to traditional single-bevel knives whose performance is maintained through careful sharpening over many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite #2 is carbon steel rather than stainless steel and therefore requires appropriate care. The blade should be cleaned and thoroughly dried after use to help prevent corrosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional Kasumi Finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is completed with a traditional \u003cstrong\u003eKasumi finish\u003c\/strong\u003e, creating the subtle visual contrast between the hard cutting steel and softer cladding characteristic of traditional Japanese knives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than relying on decorative excess, the Kasumi finish allows the blade's geometry, materials, and craftsmanship to remain at the center of the knife's character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigned Saya by Shotaro Nomura\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife is accompanied by a wooden saya bearing \u003cstrong\u003eShotaro Nomura's handwritten signature\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saya protects the blade during storage and transport, but in this case it also creates a direct connection between the finished knife and the craftsman responsible for its sharpening and final form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a knife of this character, that signed saya makes the piece particularly distinctive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Rare Combination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA traditional \u003cstrong\u003eleft-handed Sakimaru Takohiki\u003c\/strong\u003e, sharpened and finished in Sakai by Shotaro Nomura, combines several qualities that are not commonly encountered together:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeft-handed single-bevel geometry.\u003cbr\u003eSakimaru Takohiki form.\u003cbr\u003eWhite #2 carbon steel.\u003cbr\u003eTraditional Kasumi finish.\u003cbr\u003eShotaro Nomura's sharpening and finishing.\u003cbr\u003eAnd a saya personally signed by the craftsman.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the chef seeking a traditional Japanese sashimi knife made properly for the left hand, this is not simply a left-handed version of a standard knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a knife built around the requirements of the left-handed user from its geometry onward.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSharpener \/ Finisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shotaro Nomura\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sakimaru Takohiki\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 270mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand Orientation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Left-handed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSteel:\u003c\/strong\u003e White #2 \/ Shirogami #2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional single bevel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kasumi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaya:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wooden saya with Shotaro Nomura's handwritten signature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sakai, Osaka, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrder Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Request Order \/ Made to Order\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\" style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant Notice — Request Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eThis is primarily a Request Order \/ Made-to-Order item. Unless the product is specifically marked “In Stock,” production, sharpening, and finishing begin after your order is confirmed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eBecause the knife involves specialist craftsmanship, lead times may vary depending on the craftsman's production schedule and availability. Please contact YAMANI SHODOSHIMA before ordering if you would like to confirm the current estimated lead time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YAMANI SHODOSHIMA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46592863436986,"sku":null,"price":580.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/6750\/4826\/files\/B7B4FE65-88F2-4BF0-98AF-6CD2F05E5652.jpg?v=1788921171","url":"https:\/\/yamani-shodoshima.com\/products\/sakimaru","provider":"YAMANI SHODOSHIMA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}