Skip to content
Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis by Kairi Eguchi

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis by Kairi Eguchi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Sudraba balva A' Design Award in Cepamtrauku, galda piederumu, dzeramtrauku un virtuves trauku dizains Competition Category.


SudrabaVirtuves piederumi· 2025

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis

by Kairi Eguchi

Client: Hatsu

Sudraba balva A' Design Award Winner in Virtuves piederumi Category

7,963

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #163536

Colors

The Design

About Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis

Hatsu Tomoe-ha ir virtuves nazis, kas vienā asmenī apvieno universālā naža un mizojamā naža funkcijas. Asmens ir izgriezts ar lāzeru no korozijizturīga nerūsējošā tērauda un pēc tam uzasināts, lai nodrošinātu ilgstošu asumu. Asmens platums pie pamatnes ir 40 mm, un tas sašaurinās virzienā uz smaili. Rokturis ir izgatavots no Honoki koka, kas padara nazi vieglu un kompaktu. Roktura forma atvieglo spēka pielikšanu, tāpēc arī iesācēji virtuvē var ērti lietot šo nazi. Mazais izmērs ir piemērots kompaktām virtuvēm un labi iederas uz griešanas dēlīša.

The Recognition

About the Sudraba balva A' Design Award

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis ir Sudraba balvas A' Design Award ieguvējs, ārkārtīgi prestiža atzinība, ko piešķir augstākās klases, krāšņiem un iespaidīgiem dizainiem. Sudraba ieguvēji ir ārkārtīgi spožas un ļoti radošas izpausmes, kas parāda to dizaineru izcilo kompetenci, talantu un asredzību. Sagaidāms, ka Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis būs lielisks, paraugdarbs, ļoti profesionāls un dziļi inovatīvs. Šis ar Sudraba balvu apbalvotais dizains ir ievērojams, apbrīnots izgudrojums, kas palīdz paplašināt mākslas, zinātnes, dizaina un tehnoloģiju robežas. Hatsu Tomoe-ha Virtuves nazis ir radījums, kam daudzi apskauž, kas modina vēlmes, rada pozitīvas izjūtas un raisa izbrīnu un apbrīnu.

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.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate