Yoshioka Hamono

Yoshioka Hamono Tools, Hand-Forged in Ono

Japanese hedge shears, karikomi shears, topiary shears, loppers and scissors from Ono City, Hyōgo Prefecture.

Browse Yoshioka Hamono and Masamune tools from Ono City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Founded in 1946, Yoshioka began with dressmaking scissors before developing into a specialist maker of garden shears, hedge shears, loppers, topiary tools and scissors.

This collection is for comparing the Yoshioka range stocked by East West Tools in Australia. Start with Masamune or Karikomi hedge shears for broad trimming, choose curved topiary shears for detailed shaping, choose Araki loppers for heavier live branches, or choose Nokokari serrated shears when green growth slips away from smooth blades. For cleaning, oiling and sharpening, see Japanese tool care and sharpening.

Showing all models

Fastest flat-hedge coverage

270 or 300mm blade

Yoshioka Karikomi

Long Yasugi Blue Paper No. 2 steel blades

Choose it for: Broad, flat hedge faces where coverage per stroke matters.

Choose 270mm for manageability or 300mm for maximum coverage.

Broad blade, compact handles

240mm blade / 580mm overall

Yoshioka Kihachi 240mm

Blue Paper No. 2 steel; 270mm honyaki-finished handles

Choose it for: Broad hedge coverage in tighter areas and during ladder work.

Honyaki-handle model; for leaves and small twigs, not thick branches.

Long-handle all-rounder

210mm blade / 680mm overall

Yoshioka Kihachi 210mm

Blue Paper No. 2 steel; 390mm honyaki-finished handles

Choose it for: Stable-ground hedge work needing reach and cutting momentum.

Honyaki-handle model; use a heavier pruning tool for thicker branches.

Rounded forms & close shaping

225mm blade / 330mm handles

Yoshioka No.122(B)

Curved Yasugi White Paper steel blade

Choose it for: Controlled pruning and shaping around rounded plant forms.

Use secateurs or heavier tools for thick wood.

Best grip on springy stems

180mm blade / 270mm handles

Yoshioka Nokokari No.401

One serrated blade; short-handle control

Choose it for: Mixed hedge growth that tends to slip away from smooth blades.

Use the blade base for live stems near the maker guide.

Best for heavier live stems

170mm blade / 450mm handles

Yoshioka Araki No.123

White Paper steel; serrated grip near blade base

Choose it for: Heavy-pruning work within mixed hedges and shrubs.

Heavy-pruning hedge shears, not conventional loppers.

Cloth & craft

190mm overall

Yoshioka Masamune Tailor Scissors

Blue Paper steel tailor scissors with black finish

Choose it for: Cloth cutting, pattern work and compact craft use.

A craft tool, not a garden shear.

Compare the model matrix

Model	Dimensions	Construction / defining feature	Best reason to choose it	Cutting guide	Price & status
Yoshioka Karikomi	270 or 300mm blade	270 or 300mm Blue Paper No. 2 steel blade	Fast levelling across broad, flat hedge faces	Leaves and soft hedge growth	$300.00 – $340.00In stock
Yoshioka Kihachi 240mm	240mm blade / 580mm overall	240mm Blue Paper No. 2 steel blade; honyaki-finished handles	Broad cutting edge without a long overall tool	Leaves and small twigs	$315.00In stock
Yoshioka Kihachi 210mm	210mm blade / 680mm overall	210mm Blue Paper No. 2 steel blade; honyaki-finished handles	Reach and momentum during stable-ground hedge trimming	Leaves, shoots and small twigs	$280.00In stock
Yoshioka No.122(B)	225mm blade / 330mm handles	Curved 225mm White Paper steel blade	Following rounded forms with a controlled long edge	Suitable live pruning and soft shaping growth	$300.00In stock
Yoshioka Nokokari No.401	180mm blade / 270mm handles	Serrated 180mm blade; 270mm handles	Grip and control on springy live growth	Up to 15mm live growth at blade base	$130.00In stock
Yoshioka Araki No.123	170mm blade / 450mm handles	Heavy-pruning shear; 450mm handles	More leverage on suitable live stems within a hedge	Up to 15mm live growth at blade base	$160.00In stock
Yoshioka Masamune Tailor Scissors	190mm overall	Blue Paper steel tailor scissors with black finish	Cloth cutting, pattern work and compact craft use	Cloth and suitable craft materials; not garden growth	$220.00In stock

What changes between models

Choose by task, cutting material and reach—not by price alone.

Task typeSix models are for hedge or pruning work; the Masamune 190mm scissors are for cloth and craft.
Blade geometryStraight, curved and serrated garden edges solve different shaping and grip problems.
Coverage & reachLonger hedge blades increase coverage, while handle length changes reach and close-work control.
Cutting limitsUse each model only on the material and growth described in its cutting guide.

Prices and availability update from the current product listings. The Yoshioka range here includes hedge, pruning and craft scissors; use the 190mm tailor scissors for cloth and suitable craft materials, not garden growth.

Yoshioka Hamono tools in Australia

Yoshioka Hamono is a Japanese shear and edged-tool maker from Ono City, Hyōgo Prefecture. The workshop began in 1946 with dressmaking scissors and later expanded into garden shears, hedge shears, loppers and specialist cutting tools. East West Tools stocks selected Yoshioka and Masamune tools in Perth so Australian gardeners can compare the range in one place.

For the maker story, see Yoshioka Hamono. For broader category comparison, browse Japanese shears and loppers or see Japanese tool care and sharpening for oil, stones and cleaning products.

How to choose

Choose Masamune hedge shears for broad hedge trimming, shaping and clean general garden cuts.
Choose Karikomi hedge shears when you want longer blades and smooth coverage across hedge faces and rounded shrubs.
Choose curved topiary shears for domes, rounded forms, bonsai-style refinement and fine control near the tips.
Choose Araki bypass loppers when live branches are beyond hand shears but do not yet require a pruning saw.
Choose Nokokari serrated shears for springy green wood, mixed growth and jobs where a straight blade may slip.
Choose Yoshioka scissors for cloth, paper, thread, pattern trimming and craft work rather than garden pruning.

Why Yoshioka tools feel different

A serious pair of shears is not just about sharp steel. Alignment, blade contact, joint feel, weight and balance all affect how cleanly the tool cuts and how tiring it feels over a long session. Yoshioka tools are selected for practical cutting performance, not novelty.

Care and use

Most Yoshioka garden tools use Japanese carbon steel. After use, wipe sap and moisture from the blades, dry the tool before storage and add a light coat of oil where needed. Sharpen before the edge becomes fully dull and avoid wire, soil, gritty stems or dry deadwood that can damage a fine edge.

Yoshioka Hamono FAQs

Which Yoshioka tool should I choose?

Choose Masamune or Karikomi hedge shears for broad hedge and shrub shaping. Choose curved topiary shears for domes, rounded forms and detailed finishing. Choose Araki bypass loppers when branches are too large for hand shears. Choose Nokokari serrated shears when springy green growth tends to slip away from smooth blades.

What is the difference between Masamune hedge shears and Karikomi shears?

Masamune hedge shears are the classic all-round choice for clean hedge trimming and shaping. Karikomi shears are better when you want longer blades and smoother coverage across soft hedge faces and rounded shrubs. If you are unsure, start with the Masamune 240mm hedge shears for general garden use.

What steel do Yoshioka tools use?

The Yoshioka range stocked by East West Tools includes tools made with Japanese carbon steels such as Aogami Blue Paper Steel and Shirogami White Paper Steel, depending on the model. Araki bypass loppers use an Aogami cutting blade with an SK-5 receiving blade. Carbon steel takes a keen edge but should be kept clean, dry and lightly oiled.

Are these Yoshioka tools stocked in Australia?

Yes. East West Tools stocks selected Yoshioka Hamono and Masamune tools in Perth and ships Australia-wide. Availability can change because these are specialist tools rather than mass-market garden hardware, so use the product page or back-in-stock alert for current stock.

Tools that sharpen, not replace

Built for longevity. Proper care reduces waste and improves performance over time.

Care guide

Crafted in Japan

Forged by skilled makers using time-honoured techniques. We buy direct from small workshops.

Fast dispatch from Perth

Orders placed before 12pm ship same day from Perth. Delivery times vary by location.

Shipping policy