How to make your garden scissors last Keeping your hand-forged Japanese tools in good condition doesn’t just extend their life—it helps them work better, feel better in hand, and honour the craftsmanship behind them. Whether you’re using secateurs, shears, or garden knives, proper maintenance keeps them performing at their best and helps prevent long-term wear. We’re often asked: Here’s our step-by-step guide to caring for your tools—both daily and monthly. Daily Maintenance – The Simple Habit That Matters 1. Wipe after every use. Always. Moisture is the enemy of any blade. If your tools get wet—either from plant sap or water - the best practice is wipe them dry immediately with a clean cloth. 2. Sap matters too. Some plants, like jasmine, release a heavy sap that ... Continue Reading
Premium Gardening Tools
Cloud Pruning and Topiary Workshop in Adelaide
Celebrating Craftsmanship, Garden Artistry, and Tools That Inspire I recently travelled to Adelaide to support a cloud pruning workshop hosted by award-winning topiary artist Craig Sullivan of Hedgehogs Gardens. Craig is known for his remarkable ability to transform ordinary trees into living works of art. His cloud pruning not only shapes beautiful landscapes but also helps preserve trees that might otherwise be removed. With thoughtful technique and the right tools, garden maintenance becomes something far more enduring—an art form in itself. Supporting Artists with Handcrafted Tools At Shokunin Store, we focus on tools that reflect true craftsmanship. One of our proudest offerings, the exclusive Kihachi Curved Topiary Shears, is designed specifically for artists like ... Continue Reading
Yoshioka Hamono’s Kuroco Garden Shears Win LIFE x Design Award for Master Artisan Craft
Recognising Japanese Forging Excellence at the Tokyo Gift Show At the Tokyo International Gift Show in February 2025 — Japan’s largest trade exhibition featuring over 2,700 exhibitors—Yoshioka Hamono’s “Kuroco Pointed Tip Pruning Scissors” received the highly esteemed LIFE✖️Design Award for Best Takumi (Master Artisan) Craft. This award is given to a select few brands that represent the highest levels of traditional craftsmanship and innovation in design. This honour is far more than a trophy. It acknowledges a centuries-old Japanese forging technique that is now critically endangered—one that is rooted in samurai sword-making and carried forward by only a handful of blacksmiths. What Makes Kuroco Pointed Tip Pruning Scissors so Unique? The Kuroco Pointed Tip Scissors stand ... Continue Reading
Tea, Tools, and Tradition: A Garden Tool Care Workshop at Kings Cross Community Garden
On a crisp Autumn morning in Sydney—after a week of relentless rain—we were fortunate to be welcomed by sunshine and the warm company of fellow gardening enthusiasts at Kings Cross Community Garden. The occasion? A garden tool care workshop followed by a hands-on introduction to our handcrafted Japanese gardening tools and Japanese craftsmanship. What made the day even more special was that it also happened to be our wedding anniversary. While it might not be the most conventional way to celebrate, sharing our mission and love for craftsmanship with such a kind community felt deeply rewarding—and worth every minute. A GARDEN TOOL CARE WorkshoP by Horticulturist The first half of the event focused on tool maintenance, led by Yuta, our trusted tool expert from Greenfriends Gardens. ... Continue Reading
Give a Lil’ Love: Caring for Your Scissors
Our high-quality, handcrafted scissors are built to last a lifetime, but even the finest tools need a little love to stay in top shape. That's where our scissor maintenance gear comes in. We offer a variety of shapes and thicknesses of sharpening stones, specially designed for scissor care. Unlike sharpening stones for knives, which are often too thick to go around the receiving blade or non-straight shapes of scissors, our stones ensure precise sharpening without disassembling the blades. In addition, our 100% Camellia Seed Oil is the perfect non-drying tool oil. One bottle goes a long way, as it is versatile enough for use on your face, hands, hair, and even furniture. Best of all, it’s safe and natural. Our Sap and Rust Remover is ideal for keeping your scissors clean and ... Continue Reading
Winner of the Best Sustainable Garden Product Award at MIFGS 2023
Breaking: Celebrating our win for Best Sustainable Garden Product Award at MIFGS ... Continue Reading
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
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