Silver cutlery tea ceremony Sado Wa-Youji Japanese cake knife 12peaces New Katsushika Symbol of quality and reliance.

What is the Wa-Youji? In Japan, there are seasonal sweets which called "Wagashi". Wagashi is served with Wa-Youji, it's used like a knife and fork. In the tea ceremony(Sado), Wagashi is served with Wa-Youji, too. Wa-Youji is an important item as tea utensil. Wa-Youji in silver isn't uncommon to see in Japan, but ornately-decorated items like these are rare. These items have a design that includes Japanese flowers. these flowers are typical flowers of each Month, from January to December. January: Daffodil February: Japanese plum March: Japanese cherry April: Lily of the valley May: Lily June: Iris July: Morning glory August: Sunflower September: Balloon flower October: Cosmos November: Chrysanthemum December: Phalaenopsis orchid We will send you the items in an exclusive case which is made of japanese paulownia. Please feel free to inquire.

[ Item specifics ] Conditions NEW [ Composition: ] Length: 112mm

[January] Daffodil [February] Japanese plum [March] Japanese cherry [April] Lily of the valley [May] Lily [June] Iris [July] Morning glory [August] Sunflower [September] Balloon flower [October] Cosmos [November] Chrysanthemum [December] Phalaenopsis orchid

The antibacterial propoties of silver have been known for a leng time and there are a variety of applications using silver in the medical field. Silver is probobly the best and safest metal for making tableware. In the Meiji era, Japanese craftsmen learned about silverware from Europeans and Americans and were impressed. They developed their own hammering technique which produced very hard silver (as typified by Japanese swords: NIHON-TOU SAMURAI-SWORD) Ueda Industrial Arts which is the maker of this items has kept up the production method of silverware since the Meiji era. Kouzou Ueda, Japan Traditional Craftsman and CEO of Uea Industrial Arts said "I think it is not necessarily best to keep up the older method. I just want to make a good products. According to the results, we choose it, and no more."

The history of silverware in Japan(plates, sake cup etc)is old. There used to be many silver maines in Japan and in the 16th century was one of the largest producers in the world. Silverware was recorded in government records(Engishiki) during the Heian period, craftman, called "shirogane-chi" helped spread the use of silverware by ordinary townpeople. The silverware, developed from the Japanese tea ceremony, takes its roots from "wabi" and "sabi", the highest aesthetic values of Japanese traditional art. Japanese silverware attracted international attention during the 1867 Paris Expo. Today, Tokyo is the main producer of traditional Japanese silverware.

After graduating from junior high school, he was apprenticed to Shinjiro Ueda. Shinjiro Ueda was a master craftsman of hammering(SHIROGANE-SHI) as was his father. In 1959 he made silverware for Empress Michiko with the symbol of the white birch when Empress Michiko married. The same year, he produced silverware for a banquet at the Imperial Palace. In 1990 he was certified as a Japan Traditional Craftsman by Japanese government. In 1993 he made silverware for Princess Masako with the symbol of the ramanas rose. The same year, he received awards prize of director of a bureau of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. He was awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon in fall's Medal of Honor winners in 2000.

[ The Medal with Yellow Ribbon ]

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Thank you for visiting our store. This store is managed by Katsushika Traditional Crafts Association (KTCA) in Katsushika ward which is located in eastern Tokyo.  This area has a reputation for producing many leading traditional master craftsman. In 1991, the KTCA was officially authorized by the Katsushika ward local Government to develop the traditional craft industry.  The cuwent membership of the association is more than 40 master craftsman including living National Treasures. This store was founded with the aim of introducing Japanese traditional crafts and culture to the world.  All goods are made by award winning master craftsman and all goods are guaranteed as genuine by Katsushika ward Government.  Because the goods are so rare and wonderful, even people living in Japan sometimes find it difficult to obtain them. If you have any inquires or requests, please contact us anytime.  Now, enjoy guaranteed safe, shopping.

Katsushika Dento Sangyo Kan 7-3-16 Tateishi Katsushika Ward, Tokyo 124-0024 JAPAN

[ Shipping ] All items shipped are insured. We send it by EMS(Express Mail Service). EMS is produced by Japan Post. It is top priority among international mails is placed on this service and fastest delivery service.

Area Average number of days North America 3 - 5 days Europe 2 - 5 days Oceania 3 - 4 days Asia 2 - 8 days

[ Customs, Import duties and Tax fees ] Any customs, import duties or tax fees are the buyer responsibility. Please note that we cannot mark the customs tag as a "GIFT" or to value the order at less than what you paid for the merchandise.

[ Charge of Shipping ] Masaki Hakuta, Katsunori Hosono. Tel: +81-3-5879-9550 Fax:+81-3-5879-9572

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You may return it to us within 7 days after receipt and receive a refund. Refund given as: Money Back Return shipping paid by: Buyer Additional return policy details:  - Items can only be returned if undamaged.  - PayPal money back fee paid by buyer.  - Foreign exchange rate losses paid by buyer.