Toyama Hamono | Super Sharp, Lifelong Floral Scissors

The sharpness of your scissors determines how long your flowers last.

Flower shears are an essential tool for enjoying flowers in your daily life.

Sharp shears cleanly cut stems and branches without crushing their vascular bundles (the tubes that draw up water), allowing flowers to absorb water smoothly and stay beautiful longer.

Shears that cut with light pressure are also recommended for those with weaker grip strength.

Bringing manufacturing techniques from the Bunkyu era into your daily life

The handle shape, known as "warabite" (bracken hand), is a classic for flower shears. It's primarily used in ikebana schools like Ikenobo and Sogetsu-ryu, and is also called the Ikenobo type.

Its maneuverability makes delicate work easy. The crisp "shaki-shaki" and "kachi-kachi" sounds of the shears as you prune and arrange flowers can be quite meditative.

The beak-like blades are as sharp as a razor, so please be careful not to injure yourself.

Feature ①: Forging method

Toyama Hamono's specialty, "hi-zukuri tanzo" (fire-forged forging), dates back to the Bunkyu era of the Edo period.

Forging is the process of shaping metal by hammering it.

As the saying goes, "strike while the iron is hot," hammering metal compresses internal air bubbles and gaps, making it harder and stronger. Bronze and iron products from the Yayoi period were also made using this method.

Feature ②: "Ura-togi" - The inherited technique for exceptional sharpness

Shears cut by bringing two blades together. High-quality shears are designed so that only a single point of the blades makes contact. If this contact point shifts, the shears become unusable.

The process of adjusting the subtle angle and curve[*] on the back of the blade is called "ura-togi" (back-sharpening), a traditional technique passed down through generations at Toyama Hamono.

This process, performed individually on each pair of shears by skilled craftsmen, significantly influences sharpness, so much so that it's said, "shears cut from the back" or "the back is the life of the shears."

[*]Refers to parts known as "sori" (curve), "sawa (suki)" (gap), and "nejiri (hizumi)" (twist/distortion)

Feature ③: "Ai-hadore" - Sensory adjustment by master craftsmen

The final stage of scissor making, "ai-hadore," creates that crisp, pleasant sound and comfortable feel.

This is a unique Toyama Hamono technique where craftsmen use all their senses to adjust the tightness of the components, achieving the best possible sharpness.

The front blade bears the "Soke Hidehisa Saku" (Made by Master Hidehisa) engraving, a testament to the artisan's profound knowledge of steel.

Feature ④: Sharpen the blades and use them forever!

To ensure long-lasting use, a "Free Sharpening Coupon" is included with the product.

Sharpening and maintenance not only restore the cutting edge but also remove dullness and dirt from the surface, making them look new again.

Subsequent sharpening services can also be requested for a fee, allowing you to maintain optimal comfort of use.

Three types available, chosen by finish and material

〈Flower Shears - Steel〉

The black color of the handle is achieved through baking in a heating furnace. No chemicals are used, making it an environmentally friendly finish.

〈Flower Shears - Stainless Steel〉

All-stainless steel with a minimalist impression. Its appeal lies in its durability and resistance to rust even in high-humidity environments.

〈Flower Shears - Sakura (Steel)〉

A vibrant and enchanting cherry blossom color. It features a delicate sharpness ideal for caring for fresh flowers.

Lightweight and easy to use, clearing your mind

The crisp, satisfying sound of the blades is addictive. Since it's a spring-less type, it requires a little getting used to.

Firmly grasp the upper handle between the base of your thumb and index finger. Support the lower handle with your fingertips, and the blades will naturally open due to the weight of the handle when you open your hand.

For flowers that absorb water better when the cut end is crushed, you can also use the curled part of the handle.

Traditional skills × cutting-edge technology for the future of manufacturing

Toyama Hamono was founded in 1861, during the Bunkyu era of the Edo period, in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, a town known for its metalwork.

Since then, as the head family of Echigo wood shears, the traditional techniques have been passed down through generations from the first generation Ryusho (with the signature: Ryusho), the second generation Tomijiro (signature: Chinryu), the third generation Hideyoshi (signature: Ryuzan), and the fourth generation Hidehisa (signature: Hidehisa).

Their products have received high acclaim at international trade fairs and various design competitions, including the Good Design Award. Toyama Hamono is one of the most trusted scissor manufacturers among professional gardeners. 

While preserving traditional techniques such as forging, back-sharpening, and blade alignment, they are also actively incorporating advanced technology like digital control systems and robotics[*].

They are an innovative manufacturer committed to manufacturing that connects to the future.

[*]They are engaged in precise blade sharpening using NC grinding machines controlled by computers, and labor-saving in production lines through industrial robots.

Not disposable. Embracing the culture of "re-sharpening."

The culture of caring for tools like swords, re-sharpening them, and using them carefully for a long time is unique to Japan.

Toyama Hamono's shears, from a traditional master family, will surely be a long-lasting companion in a life that cherishes flowers and trees.

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