DOWA
Dowa International Ltd.
About DOWA
In brief
DOWA is a Japanese scissors brand with offices in London and Tokyo, producing professional shears since 1980 and serving as UK importer for YS Park tools.
Cutting Scissors · Thinning Scissors 4.5–7.5 in
Profile updated Apr 2026
Price
US$250–350Price band US$200–400 · Mid-rangeTypical documented price, not a quoteWhere to buy
2 retailers- Hasami House (opens in a new tab) Official
- HIEN (opens in a new tab) Official
Buying routes
Where to buy DOWA
Retailers ScissorPedia has catalogued. Prices and stock are on each store’s site.
Japan 2 retailers
- Hasami House (opens in a new tab) Official Details
- HIEN (opens in a new tab) Official Details
Maker’s own dealer information: official site ↗
Catalogue map
The DOWA range
19 models · 4.5–7.5 in
Cutting Scissors 18 models US$108–804Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
- DOWA Passion Alto NY Cutting Scissors US$361
- DOWA Passion Alto YTK Cutting Scissors US$350
- DOWA Passion Arc Cutting Scissors US$350
15 more models are listed in the full catalogue below.
Thinning Scissors 1 model US$250Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Pictured models
No reviewed model photography is available yet.
All 19 DOWA model names
- DOWA Passion Alto NY Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Alto YTK Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Arc Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion C4 Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Cirrus Fat Damascus Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Cirrus Slim Damascus Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Cobalt Crown Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Eclipse Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Eva Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Keiun Damascus Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Kokaji Fat Damascus Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Kokaji Slim Damascus Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Mido Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Nimbus Damascus Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Omega Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion Original Offset Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion 2 Step Thinning Scissors
- DOWA Passion Sword X Cutting Scissors
- DOWA Passion V10 Cutting Scissors
A US$108 entry pair and an US$804 Damascus flagship bracket DOWA’s PASSION shears at guide prices, a Japanese line sold since 1980. Dowa International runs the brand from offices in London and Tokyo and is also the official UK importer for YS Park tools. Across the 19 models, sizes run 4.5 to 7.5 inches, with ATS-314 cobalt as the main steel.
Overview
DOWA is a Japanese origin scissor brand operated by Dowa International Ltd. The company has offices in both London and Tokyo. According to Dowa, the company has been producing scissors since 1980 under the PASSION brand name. They are also the official UK importer for YS Park Pro Tools.
Product Range
DOWA offers cutting and thinning scissors for blunt cutting, volume control, texture control, and combined cutting and thinning. The range sits in the professional mid-range. Dowa International describes its scissors as a blend of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and modern design.
Sharpening Service
Dowa International states that it operates a sharpening service from its London office, which it describes as one of the leading sharpening operations in Europe. The company reports long term customers from both the UK and international markets who use this service.
Trade Show Presence
According to Dowa, the company exhibits at major trade shows including Salon International in London and Cosmoprof in Bologna, Italy. For stylists attending these events, that provides an opportunity to handle the products in person before committing to a purchase.
Distribution
DOWA scissors are sold through two official channels: the HIEN online store and the Hasami House Rakuten storefront. Dowa International also operates its own website at dowa-international.com. The London office at Unit 8, Hanover West Industrial Estate handles UK and European distribution, while the Tokyo office serves the Japanese market.
See Also
How DOWA compares
Similar origin and adjacent price band. Brass rows differ; “—” means the field is not documented yet.
| Spec | DOWADOWA | AlphaAlpha | Alu-CobaAlu-Coba | AuroAuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$250–350Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | Price not documented | US$200–250Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$424–499Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | ATS-314, Damascus | SG2 | Cobalt steel | Cobalt Alloy |
| Edge type | — | — | — | Straight |
| Handles | — | — | — | Offset, Straight, Crane |
| Left-handed | — | — | — | — |
| Thinning | 1 models | 1 models | — | 2 models |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Volume control, Texture control, Cut & Thinning | Volume control, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Blunt cut, Texture… | Base cut, Step cut, Volume control, Texture control | Cobalt alloy builds, Multi-tooth thinning options, Handle… |
| Founded | 1980 | 2006 | 1946 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
6 answers you can open one at a timeIs DOWA a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. DOWA is a Japanese brand that has sold its PASSION shears since 1980, run by Dowa International Ltd. with offices in London and Tokyo.
Where can I buy DOWA scissors?
DOWA sells through two official channels, the HIEN online store and the Hasami House storefront on Rakuten, and the company also runs its own site at dowa-international.com.
What steel do DOWA scissors use?
DOWA works mainly in ATS-314 cobalt, with a Damascus line that uses an ATS-314 cobalt core.
How much do DOWA scissors cost?
Guide prices across DOWA’s 19 models go from US$108 up to US$804. The Passion C4 anchors the low end; the six Damascus pairs, topped by the Keiun, make up the expensive end.
What sizes do DOWA scissors come in?
PASSION models run from 4.5 to 7.5 inches. Most cutting pairs sit between 5.0 and 6.0 inches, while the Cobalt Crown runs up to 7.5 inches, the longest in the line.
What is DOWA known for?
Its PASSION cutting and thinning shears are built for blunt cutting, volume control, and texture work. Dowa International is also the official UK importer for YS Park tools.
Ratings & reviews
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