Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Cutlery

Established Heritage Site

Specialties

Pruning Shears (Sentei-basami)
Gardening Scissors
Agricultural sickles & brush cutters

Notable Makers & Brands

Origin Story & Evolution

Yamagata Forged Cutlery began in 1356 when the feudal lord Shiba Kaneyori entered Yamagata Castle, bringing along blacksmiths to forge weapons and armor. During the Edo period, the demand shifted to farming tools and scissors. In the post-war era, the region adapted to produce high-performance shears (Sentei-basami) for fruit orchards. Known for their durability and smooth cutting action, Yamagata shears are highly valued by professional gardeners and arborists across Japan.

Key Forging Techniques

Low-Temperature Forging

Repeated hammering at low heat to remove impurities and create a dense steel structure.

Lead Bath Heat Treatment (Namari-bus)

Molten lead at 800°C enables slow, oxygen-free heating to prevent decarburization.

Clam-Shaped Edge (Hamaguri-ba)

A convex edge that minimizes friction when biting into wood, ensuring sharp, clean cuts.

Advanced Urasuki Technique

Three-dimensional blade hollowing so the cutting and receiving blades touch at a single moving point.

Manual Screw Adjustment

Pivot screws are tightened entirely by hand based on tactile feedback for a smooth, rattle-free action.

Access & Directions

From Tokyo

Take the Yamagata Shinkansen directly from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station (approx. 2 hours 45 minutes).

From Osaka

Take a flight from Itami Airport to Yamagata Airport (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes), then take a shuttle bus to Yamagata Station (~25m). Or take the Shinkansen via Tokyo.

Regional Cooperative

Yamagata City Industrial History Museum

Location 10 Imono-cho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 〒990-2351

Main Workshops & Manufacturers

Tobitsuka Seikyosho (Tobitsuka Scissors Manufacturing) ↗

📍

Yamagata City Industrial History Museum

10 Imono-cho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 〒990-2351

Open in Google Maps →

Official links & verification

Official sites for the cooperative and representative workshops. Check each site for hours, access, and visit availability.

Yamagata City Industrial History Museum

Role Regional contact point and basic reference

Tobitsuka Seikyosho (Tobitsuka Scissors Manufacturing)

Reference Open official site

Modern Active Swordsmiths & Bladesmiths

Artisan

Tobisho Blacksmiths

Tobisho Scissors & Shears Forge

Master Shear Forgers

A workshop hand-forging pruning shears (Sentei-basami). They combine traditional forge-welding of carbon steel with vacuum heat treatments to produce gardening tools with a sharp edge.