Ono City
Description
Ono City in Hyogo Prefecture is a traditional Japanese blade-making center producing professional scissors. Learn about its craftsmen and forging heritage.
Ono City (小野市, Hyogo Prefecture)
Quick look
- Country: Japan
- Heritage: 250+ years of blade manufacturing
- Production model: Integrated single-workshop process (one craftsperson handles all stages)
- Scale: Artisan-level production, much smaller output than Seki
- Known for: Innovation in bearing technology and blade design
Why it matters
While Seki gets most of the attention, Ono City in Hyogo Prefecture carries its own respected tradition in blade work going back over 250 years. The key difference from Seki is the production model. Where Seki uses a division of labour system with specialist workshops handling individual stages, Ono City manufacturers tend to keep the entire process under one roof. One craftsperson or a small team handles everything from forging to final sharpening.
This integrated approach means fewer hands touch each scissors, which some professionals believe results in more consistent quality and a more unified feel in the finished product.
Notable manufacturers
Mork Scissors (モルクシザーズ) is the standout name from Ono City. They won the 50th Hyogo Prefecture Technical Merit Award for their work. Mork developed a contactless double-bearing system and an original “propeller blade” design that prevents hair from escaping during cutting. Their scissors are fully handmade with integrated production.
An interesting detail: Mork scissors are available through Japan’s Furusato Nozei (ふるさと納税) hometown tax system, meaning Japanese citizens can receive them as a regional gift in exchange for tax contributions to Ono City.
Banshu tradition
The broader Banshu (播州) region, which includes Ono City, has a documented history of blade and hardware manufacturing. The region’s metalworking skills developed alongside agricultural tool production and gradually expanded into specialized cutting instruments including scissors, razors, and surgical tools.
| See also: Seki City | Solingen | Tension Systems |
Related guide: Manufacturing: Ono City & Sakai
Sources
- Mork Scissors manufacturer information (mork.co.jp)
- Hyogo Prefecture industrial heritage documentation
- Furusato Nozei regional product listings
Frequently Asked Questions
Ono City manufacturers keep the entire process under one roof. Where Seki uses a bungyosei (分業制) division of labour with specialist workshops handling individual stages, Ono City producers tend to have one craftsperson or a small team handle everything from forging through final sharpening. Fewer hands touch each scissor, which some professionals believe produces more consistent quality and a more unified feel in the finished product. The trade-off is lower output volume than Seki's distributed model can achieve.
A contactless double-bearing system and an original 'propeller blade' design that prevents hair from escaping during cutting. Mork's scissors are fully handmade with integrated production, and the company won the 50th Hyogo Prefecture Technical Merit Award for its work. One unusual detail: Mork scissors are available through Japan's Furusato Nozei (ふるさと納税) hometown tax system, which means Japanese citizens can receive them as a regional gift in exchange for tax contributions to Ono City.
Yes. The Banshu (播州) region, which includes Ono City, has a documented history of blade and hardware manufacturing dating back over 250 years. The region's metalworking skills developed alongside agricultural tool production and gradually expanded into specialized cutting instruments including scissors, razors, and surgical tools. That agricultural-tool origin explains why Banshu output has always emphasised integrated production and robust, practical tool design rather than the specialist-workshop model that defines Seki.