Kyoto Hasami Shokunin

About - My Journey as a Scissors Craftsman, Starting from Sharpening Hello. I’m Toshikazu Ohta, a scissors craftsman from Kyoto. I’m deeply grateful for the connections I’ve made through scissors. In the fall of 2002, I opened my own shop specializing in hairdressing scissors. It started as a small store focused solely on scissors sharpening. Since then, I’ve met countless hairdressers and barbers, learning about the power of scissors and what makes them good or bad. When sharpening scissors, I occasionally encounter a pair so exceptional it takes my breath away. It’s as if they speak to me across time. These are scissors that carry the maker’s soul and continue to live as an extension of the user’s hand. They were crafted by someone who carefully considered how and where they would be used. (Such scissors truly do excellent work!) However, there are also scissors that exist merely as “objects.” (Made with cost as the priority, with no soul whatsoever!) I often share these stories with my customers. One day, someone said to me, “You should make scissors yourself. Go ahead and make them!” That push gave me the courage I needed. And so I made my decision. I would aim beyond just “sharp cutting.” Cutting well is a given. What lies beyond that is… A sensation of complete unity with your hand. Zero stress, an almost ethereal presence. “Before you know it, your hand moves on its own, and you’re watching the movement from above” This is what I call “FLOW.” Cutting exactly as intended. Beautiful results that make your heart leap. Cutting becomes enjoyable, and that joy translates into customers’ smiles. Eventually, it transforms from mere “work” into a “calling.” I became convinced that creating such scissors is my mission. (Am I getting carried away here…) But I believe in setting high goals and aiming big! There’s something I treasure as a scissors craftsman. That is— Breathing life into steel. Not just making tools, but nurturing a true “partner.” Steel actually has personality. Some are obedient, others stubborn, some have strong cores. I make it my practice to understand each piece’s individual character and work to bring out its best qualities. That’s why when I hand scissors over to customers, it feels like sending a daughter off to marriage. (Though I don’t have a daughter… laugh) Happy but sad. It’s a strange feeling. But scissors are like people. They get tired and have off days too. When that happens, please send them home for a visit. Diamond stone bone alignment, diamond paste spa treatment, and finally a natural stone oil massage for refreshment! I’ll send them back with their smiles fully recharged. Choosing scissors is choosing a “partner” to walk through your hairdressing career with you. (I don’t think this is an exaggeration) There will be sunny days and rainy days. Times when you’re starting out and times when you’re seasoned. Sweating together, getting rained on together, sharing joy and tears as you walk your path. Such encounters with a partner are irreplaceable in life. If you would choose my scissors as that partner, there would be no greater happiness for me as a craftsman. May your hairdressing career be fruitful alongside the finest partner. I pray with all my heart at a shrine in the foothills of Kyoto’s mountains. On a day when the cherry buds are growing plump Kyoto Scissors Craftsman, Toshikazu Ohta

FLOW Craftsman’s Diary

Profile Toshikazu Ohta 1970 Born to parents who ran a sewing business. 2002 Opened an independent scissors sharpening specialty shop for hairdressing scissors. Began local business operations, sharpening various types of scissors and pursuing the quest for the ultimate scissors. 2004 Launched website. Reached out nationwide across Japan. Also supported Japanese hairdressers active worldwide (Canada, USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, etc.). 2005 Started blog. While sensing that fellow professionals were likely reading along with hairdressers, began expressing personal opinions and policies. Occasionally took hits and sank to the depths. Repeated this cycle. 2008 Started developing scissors under own brand. Launched website and began disseminating information about scissors. 2016 Started scissors workshops in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Conducted scissors workshops for local hairdressers in Hong Kong. 2020 As the world entered the COVID pandemic, considered what could be done and strengthened online communication efforts.

About Us

About - My Journey as a Scissors Craftsman, Starting from Sharpening Hello. I’m Toshikazu Ohta, a scissors craftsman from Kyoto. I’m deeply grateful for the connections I’ve made through scissors. In the fall of 2002, I opened my own shop specializing in hairdressing scissors. It started as a small store focused solely on scissors sharpening. Since then, I’ve met countless hairdressers and barbers, learning about the power of scissors and what makes them good or bad. When sharpening scissors, I occasionally encounter a pair so exceptional it takes my breath away. It’s as if they speak to me across time. These are scissors that carry the maker’s soul and continue to live as an extension of the user’s hand. They were crafted by someone who carefully considered how and where they would be used. (Such scissors truly do excellent work!) However, there are also scissors that exist merely as “objects.” (Made with cost as the priority, with no soul whatsoever!) I often share these stories with my customers. One day, someone said to me, “You should make scissors yourself. Go ahead and make them!” That push gave me the courage I needed. And so I made my decision. I would aim beyond just “sharp cutting.” Cutting well is a given. What lies beyond that is… A sensation of complete unity with your hand. Zero stress, an almost ethereal presence. “Before you know it, your hand moves on its own, and you’re watching the movement from above” This is what I call “FLOW.” Cutting exactly as intended. Beautiful results that make your heart leap. Cutting becomes enjoyable, and that joy translates into customers’ smiles. Eventually, it transforms from mere “work” into a “calling.” I became convinced that creating such scissors is my mission. (Am I getting carried away here…) But I believe in setting high goals and aiming big! There’s something I treasure as a scissors craftsman. That is— Breathing life into steel. Not just making tools, but nurturing a true “partner.” Steel actually has personality. Some are obedient, others stubborn, some have strong cores. I make it my practice to understand each piece’s individual character and work to bring out its best qualities. That’s why when I hand scissors over to customers, it feels like sending a daughter off to marriage. (Though I don’t have a daughter… laugh) Happy but sad. It’s a strange feeling. But scissors are like people. They get tired and have off days too. When that happens, please send them home for a visit. Diamond stone bone alignment, diamond paste spa treatment, and finally a natural stone oil massage for refreshment! I’ll send them back with their smiles fully recharged. Choosing scissors is choosing a “partner” to walk through your hairdressing career with you. (I don’t think this is an exaggeration) There will be sunny days and rainy days. Times when you’re starting out and times when you’re seasoned. Sweating together, getting rained on together, sharing joy and tears as you walk your path. Such encounters with a partner are irreplaceable in life. If you would choose my scissors as that partner, there would be no greater happiness for me as a craftsman. May your hairdressing career be fruitful alongside the finest partner. I pray with all my heart at a shrine in the foothills of Kyoto’s mountains. On a day when the cherry buds are growing plump Kyoto Scissors Craftsman, Toshikazu Ohta

FLOW Craftsman’s Diary

Profile Toshikazu Ohta 1970 Born to parents who ran a sewing business. 2002 Opened an independent scissors sharpening specialty shop for hairdressing scissors. Began local business operations, sharpening various types of scissors and pursuing the quest for the ultimate scissors. 2004 Launched website. Reached out nationwide across Japan. Also supported Japanese hairdressers active worldwide (Canada, USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, etc.). 2005 Started blog. While sensing that fellow professionals were likely reading along with hairdressers, began expressing personal opinions and policies. Occasionally took hits and sank to the depths. Repeated this cycle. 2008 Started developing scissors under own brand. Launched website and began disseminating information about scissors. 2016 Started scissors workshops in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Conducted scissors workshops for local hairdressers in Hong Kong. 2020 As the world entered the COVID pandemic, considered what could be done and strengthened online communication efforts.