The Higonokami Folding Knife: History, Craft, and Its Place in Japanese Everyday Sword Culture
* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Table of Contents
What is the Higonokami?
"Higonokami (肥後守)" is a type of small Japanese folding knife whose blade and handle (shaft) can be folded and stored, more precisely called a higonokami-style small knife. It is a folding blade with a mechanism to store the blade in the handle, and has been used mainly for daily crafting, sharpening writing instruments, and assisting with agricultural work.
While there are several theories about the origin of the name, it is said that it began with engraving "Higonokami" on a folding small knife made in the Miki region of Hyogo Prefecture (Harima Province, now Miki City), a center of blade craftsmanship during the Meiji period. There are the following theories about the origin of the name "Higonokami":
- One theory is that it was given authority by using an official title (the guardian official of Higo Province)
- According to the manufacturer's explanation, one theory is that it derives from the fact that most of its trading partners were in southern Kyushu (Kumamoto)
Today, "Higonokami" is a registered trademark, and genuine products are manufactured only by Nagao Kanekoma Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Miki City.
Historical Background of Folding Blades
In Japan, commoners from the Edo period onward were legally prohibited from wearing tachi and wakizashi (non-samurai sword-bearing prohibition). However, blades were essential in daily life, and small blades were needed in various situations such as agricultural work, carpentry, writing, and cooking.
In response to such demand, small folding blades such as the "Higonokami" were developed. The blade length is typically 4–10 cm, and even if it falls under "blades exceeding 6 cm in length" under the Firearms and Swords Control Law, carrying is permitted if there is a legitimate reason. However, in modern times, carrying a blade exceeding 6 cm in public requires legitimate grounds.
During the Meiji and Taisho periods, the "Higonokami" also became popular as a writing tool for children. There was a time when elementary school students routinely carried it as a tool for sharpening pencils, and it remained a school stationery item until the early Showa period.
The Miki Region: Center of Blade Craftsmanship
Miki City in Hyogo Prefecture, known as a production center for higonokami, is a major center for blade manufacturing known throughout Japan as the "Town of Metal Goods." The history of Miki's blacksmithing is ancient; it is said to have begun when craftsmen were gathered from throughout the country for reconstruction after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's siege of Miki Castle (Tensho 6–8, 1578–1580).
Miki's blade industry spans a wide range of products, including carpentry tools, farm tools, and kitchen implements, and folding small knives became established as an everyday product for ordinary people. The manufacture of higonokami is performed almost entirely by hand, from forging the blade to assembly, sharpening, and finishing.
Today, Nagao Kanekoma Manufacturing, which produces genuine "Higonokami," continues manufacturing using traditional methods while protecting Miki City's trademark. Products come in variations of blade length such as "large," "medium," and "small," and are characterized by affordable pricing ranging from several hundred yen to several thousand yen.
Structure and Materials of the Higonokami
The most distinctive feature of the higonokami is its folding structure without a stopper. While many Western folding knives feature a locking mechanism, the higonokami uses a "clamping method" that relies solely on friction to hold the blade in the handle.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Handle (tsuka) Structure | Brass (yellow copper) is the most common material, with the blade sandwiched between two metal plates. Less expensive models may use iron plates. The handle shape is simple with minimal decoration, emphasizing practical design. |
| Blade Material | High-carbon steel is often used. While carbon steel is prone to rust, it is easy to sharpen with whetstones and maintains a sharp edge for a long time. Stainless steel budget versions exist, but traditionally handcrafted higonokami are primarily made of carbon steel. |
| Sharpening and Maintenance | Higonokami can be sharpened with either natural or synthetic whetstones. Because the blade is short and easy to handle, it is considered ideal for learning blade sharpening. Regular oil application (to the handle's axle and the blade's base) keeps it in good condition. |
The Higonokami in Contemporary Context
The modern higonokami is being re-evaluated in the context of "EDC (Every Day Carry)" culture. Its simple structure without a locking mechanism and lightweight, compact body are being reconsidered as an everyday carry tool.
It also has strong support from outdoor enthusiasts, and its practicality for camping and mountaineering activities is receiving attention.
- Feather sticks (wood shavings for kindling)
- Cutting food ingredients
- Cutting rope
Among writers, authors, and artists, it is also frequently cherished as "a small blade for writing work." As a blade well-suited for fine work accompanying desk tasks, there is demand among creative professionals for the following uses:
- Adjusting fountain pen nibs
- Cutting paper
- Working with leather
Overseas, it is known as "Higonokami" and is exported to Western countries and Asia as a Japanese traditional craft.
Spiritual Continuity with Japanese Swords
Though the higonokami is quite different from tachi and wakizashi, it embodies the continuity of Japanese blacksmithing culture. The basic process of forging carbon steel to create a blade and sharpening it with whetstones to maintain its edge is essentially the same as Japanese sword making.
When Miki blacksmiths make higonokami, they shape the steel using traditional forging with charcoal (or modern methods using gas furnaces) and perform "tempering," which is essential to the blade. The temperature control during tempering and cooling speed determine the blade's hardness and toughness—the same principle as with Japanese swords.
A small folding blade that supported the everyday lives of common people and a large blade that embodied the spirit of the samurai. Though they differ completely in scale and purpose, they both stand upon the common foundation of blacksmithing technique. When holding a higonokami, one can find a microcosm of Japanese blade culture within that small blade.
Conclusion
The higonokami is often overlooked in discussions of Japanese sword culture, yet it is an important tool that has played a role in the blade culture intimately connected to the lives of ordinary people. As the traditional methods preserved by Miki's craftspeople connect with modern EDC and craft culture, the higonokami is once again gaining prominence.
Engaging with Japanese blade culture through the higonokami, from a different perspective than appreciating famous swords and masterworks, can become an entry point to deepening one's understanding of sword culture.
