Kyoto Hasami Shokunin
- Japan
-
Budget Luxury
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin is a one-person Japanese shear brand applying traditional swordsmithing techniques to handcrafted professional scissors.
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin (京都はさみ職人) is a one person shear brand founded and operated by Toshikazu Ohta in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. Ohta started as a sharpening specialist in 2002 before beginning to develop his own shears in 2008.Swordsmithing HeritageThe brand draws directly from traditional Japanese swordsmithing (刀鍛冶, tōkaji) techniques. Ohta...
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin (京都はさみ職人) is a one person shear brand founded and operated by Toshikazu Ohta in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. Ohta started as a sharpening specialist in 2002 before beginning to develop his own shears in 2008.
Swordsmithing Heritage
The brand draws directly from traditional Japanese swordsmithing (刀鍛冶, tōkaji) techniques. Ohta applies principles from katana craftsmanship to hairdressing shears, including the approach to understanding each piece of steel’s individual characteristics before working it. This lineage from blade traditions in the Kyoto region gives the brand a distinctive identity among Japanese shear makers.
Ohta describes his process as “breathing life into steel,” treating each pair of shears as having its own personality based on how the metal responds during forging and finishing.
Sharpening Roots
Before manufacturing, Ohta spent years as a dedicated sharpening specialist. That foundation informs how he designs his shears. He opened his first shop in Kyoto in 2002, focused entirely on hairdressing shear sharpening. Through that work, he developed an understanding of what makes shears perform well over time and what causes them to fail.
By 2004 he had expanded to serve stylists across Japan and internationally, supporting Japanese hairdressers working in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Custom Scissor Oils
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin offers custom scissor oils available in multiple colors. While most shear manufacturers either do not produce their own oils or offer a single standard formulation, Ohta’s range of colored oils reflects the brand’s attention to the full maintenance lifecycle of a pair of shears.
Product Philosophy
Ohta describes the ideal cutting experience as “FLOW,” a state where the shears become an unnoticeable extension of the stylist’s hand. His product line includes cutting shears and thinning shears, all designed and finished by hand in his Kyoto workshop.
Timeline
- 2002: Opened sharpening specialty shop in Kyoto
- 2004: Launched website, expanded to serve stylists nationwide and internationally
- 2008: Began developing shears under his own brand
- 2016: Started scissors workshops in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Hong Kong
- 2020: Expanded online communication during the pandemic
Product Types
Specialties
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
Products
Products for this brand will be added soon.
In the meantime, you can visit the official website to explore their product range.
How Kyoto Hasami Shokunin Compares
| Brand | Kyoto Hasami Shokunin | TENYO | Kyoto | Jyo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Steel | — | — | — | — |
| Handles | — | — | — | — |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Thinning, Volume control(10~35%), Texture control, Layering, Finishing cut | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Volume control (5-35%), Texture control (10-45%), Cut & Thinning(40~80%), Inside cut, Outside cut, Speed cut | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin scissors are manufactured in Japan. ScissorPedia has limited founding date information for this brand.
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin scissors are in the mid-range price tier ($150–$350). At this price point, they compete with Alu-Coba, Axis, BMC. Value depends on your cutting volume, technique preferences, and maintenance habits.
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin specializes in Blunt cut, Thinning, Volume control(10~35%), Texture control, Layering, and 1 more.
