Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin by Kairi Eguchi

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin by Kairi Eguchi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Airgid A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Uidheam Fuine, Soithichean Bùird, Soithichean Dibhe agus Uidheam Còcaireachd Competition Category.

AirgeadUidheam Cidsin· 2025

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin

by Kairi Eguchi

Client: Hatsu

Duais Airgid A' Design Award Winner in Uidheam Cidsin Category

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The Design

About Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin

'S e sgian cidsin a th' ann an Hatsu Tomoe-ha a tha a' cothlamadh feartan sgian ioma-adhbhair agus sgian rùsgaidh ann an aon lann. Tha an lann air a gearradh le leusair à stàilinn neo-mheirgeach agus an uair sin air a geurachadh airson gèire mhaireannaich. Tha an lann 40 mm de leud aig a' bhonn agus a' fàs nas caoile a dh'ionnsaigh a' bhàrr. Tha an làmh air a dèanamh de fhiodh Hoonoki, a chumas an sgian aotrom agus teann. Le cumadh na làimhe tha e furasta neart a chur an sàs, agus mar sin faodaidh còcairean ùra an sgian a chleachdadh gu furasta. Tha am meud beag freagarrach do chidsinean beaga agus tha e a' freagairt air bòrd-gearraidh.

The Recognition

About the Duais Airgid A' Design Award

Tha Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin air Duais Airgid A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean den chiad ìre, àlainn agus drùidhteach. Tha buannaichean Airgid nan obraichean anabarrach boillsgeach agus gu math cruthachail a nochdas sàr-eòlas, tàlant agus geurchuis an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin na obair mhìorbhaileach, na sàr-eisimpleir a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus gu domhainn ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Airgid A' Design Award na innleachd glè fhaicsinneach, ion-mholta a bhrosnaicheas crìochan ealain, saidheans, dealbhaidh agus teicneolais. Tha Hatsu Tomoe-ha Sgian Cidsin na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran eud, a dhùisgeas miannan, a bheir faireachdainnean math agus a thogas iongnadh is miorbhail.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Tomoe-ha is a kitchen knife that incorporates the dual usage of an all-purpose knife and a paring knife into one single utensil. It is made for people who are starting to live alone or for those who want to enjoy cooking with their children. Especially in countries with small living quarters like Japan,
having a simple yet highly functional mini kitchen knife makes cooking in a limited kitchen space more enjoyable. Tomoe-ha enables the user for an easier daily cooking routine and sustains that lifestyle for a longer period of time.
Dimensions & Packaging: W225×D18×H40mm. Blade length: 130mm
Tags: Japanese, sharperner, knife, handcrafted, blade
Production Technology: Steel is laser-cut to take its unique shape and then sharpened to turn into a working blade. The blade is made of rust-resistant stainless steel (locally termed as
"VG7") for long-lasting sharpness. The handle is manufactured by a woodworks company specializing in making knife handles for Echizen blades. Made from Hoonoki wood, it makes the handle light and compact. The overall shape of the handle makes it easy to apply force, so that even first-time cooks can use this
knife with ease.
Design Challenge: Finding the right balance between an all-purpose knife and a paring knife. In the end, we end up with a blade with a new kind of shape that has not existed before in any kitchen knives.
Research: The shape of the hybrid blade is the result of comparing the shapes and sizes of various small Santoku knives and a petty knives. In order to be used for both functions, we came up with a blade width of 40 mm at the base and a narrower blade towards the tip.
Inspiration: The Tomoe-ha mini kitchen knife combines the best features of the small Santoku knives (all-purpose knives) and petty knives (paring knives). The Japanese characters used for the name "Tomoe-ha” means ‘having two characteristics in equal measure,’. The characteristics of the small Santoku knife (used for cutting big things) and the petty knife (used for cutting vegetables) represents the idea of Tomoe-ha by incorporating both functionality into a knife that bears a single blade.
Project Duration: Manufacturing was done in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture. Design was done in Osaka, with frequent visits to Fukui Prefecture for quality control.
Operation Flow: Tomoe-ha fits the right size to use for cutting fruits and sliced cabbages for quick and easy cooking. It is also small enough to fit on a cutting board, making it easy to use in a compact kitchen, thus making the daily routine of cooking easier for the user.
Team Members: Designer: Kairi Eguchi
Image Credits: #1 Kairi Eguchi (Product Designer) Yuma Ono (Assistant Designer), Main Image, 2024. #2 Kairi Eguchi (Product Designer) Yuma Ono (Assistant Designer), Zoom-in, 2024. #3 Tsutomu Ogino (Photographer), Kiwi, 2024. #4 Tsutomu Ogino (Photographer), Carrot, 2024.