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Iwasaki
(Published: Dec. 8, 2016,
Updated:
2018, April, Mai, June, July, Sept, Nov,
2019, Jan, Feb, April)
Before I begin, please keep in mind that I don’t speak or read the Japanese language,
most of the information is gathered from Japanese sites, which I’ve translated with
different translating programs. Although I only give information of which I am certain
(or almost certain), bear in mind that there possibly could be mistakes somewhere!
(Should you find a mistake, please contact me using the contact form below)
岩崎 = Iwasaki, 三条製作所 ⇒ Sanjō seisakusho
= Sanjo Works / Sanjō Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (1),
often with ㊂ (三 “san”, within 〇 “maru” ⇒ brand name)
which is usually translated as “Maru-san”
SANJO SEISAKUSHO
三条製作所
Since their foundation in 1947, the factory
have strived to make cutlery that exceeds the quality of those made
in Solingen, Germany, a famous cutlery manufacturing area.The company was founded by Kosuke Iwasaki, a respected authority
on metallurgy who had conducted scientific research on Japanese
edged tools, especially swords. In 1954, they produced western-style
razors (‘straight razors’) using tamahagane, traditional Japanese
iron (read ‘steel’) used for producing swords. They are equally
sharp as those made in Solingen.In addition to western-style razors, their Japanese razors
(‘kamisori’), small knives and pointed knives are renowned
in various parts of the world for their sharpness.
Iwasaki was one of the masters who made Tamahagane razors
Tamahagane = 玉鋼 (たまはがね, tama ha ga ne (daikudougu.web.fc2.com))
岩崎又造氏 = Iwasaki Matazō-shi = Mr. Matazō Iwasaki (father of Kōsuke)
岩崎航介氏 = Iwasaki Kōsuke-shi = Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki (father of Shigeyoshi)
岩崎重義氏 = Iwasaki Shigeyoshi-shi = Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki
水落良市氏 = Mizuochi Ryōichi-shi = Mr. Mizuochi Ryōichi
飯塚解房氏 = Iizuka Tokifusa-shi = Mr. Iizuka Tokifusa (“Shigefusa” 『重房』)
上條幸夫氏 or 上条幸夫氏 = Kamijō Yukio-shi = Mr. Kamijō Yukio (Kamijō Yukio)
Iwasaki
(Dr.) Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki designed the Iwasaki kamisori,
and also became the famous metallurgist who has classified
Japanese steels i.e. “yellow paper”, “white paper”, “blue paper”.
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki’s father, Mr. Matazō Iwasaki was a famous cutlery
distributor/maker in Sanjō, Niigata, Japan, famous for their cutlery production.
However, Mr. Matazō Iwasaki’s family business was defeated by the
competition with Germany, which had been revived after World War I.
(Update ’18, Sept)
After Japan entered the world stage, after years of isolationism, foreign
products (German products) flooded into Japan, and one of these was the
cheap, high-quality Solingen steel. Germany, as a modern industrial state,
could produce goods at a higher rate, and for lower cost, than the traditional Japanese hand-made economy. People turned to these newer, cheaper goods
to the detriment of a great many craftsmen; village blacksmiths, especially,
were losing out to the lower prices but comparable quality of Solingen steel.
Many of them lost their livelihoods to the foreign products. (1a)
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki (°1903), second son of
Mr. Matazō Iwasaki, wanted to elucidate the secret of the Japanese
sword, represented by “Masamune” which is said to be top of the world.
He desired to make such kind of knife, hereby trying to defeat Solingen (Germany)
once again… His life was dedicated to the Japanese sword and Tamahagane,
which made Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki very famous for his research of the
old Japanese sword, the sword smith and its revival.
For the study of Japanese sword and to
unravel sword smith secrets, Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki first studied the ancient documents
at “Tokyo Imperial University Faculty of Letters Department of national history”
After this, in order to furthermore elucidate the scientific process of Japanese sword,
he went to the University of Tokyo (metallurgy department) and did different studies.
He obtained several different bachelor degrees, and also master degrees in metallography.
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki also became an apprentice of a Japanese sword blacksmith and Japanese sword whet master, became a famous sword smith in the school, and started a prototype research of the Western razor, this in cooperation with a barber. He learned how a sword is forged, polished and sharpened.
(Update ’18, Sept)
Eventually he (Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki) revived his father’s forge in the city
of Sanjo, in Niigata prefecture. Together with his son, he started making
and using Tamahagane, forging it into edged tools…like razors. (1a)
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki developed his own process of producing Tamahagane for razors.
The special Tamahagane used to make his razors took Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki (together
with other knife and razor makers) 10 years to develop, as the 60-62 Rockwell of katana blades with a carbon content of 0,8% wasn’t high enough for the edge retention of a razor. The Iwasaki Tamahagane razors where hardened to a 64-64,8 Rockwell, some
even to 67 Rockwell…
Unfortunately, some equipment broke when they moved the forge to its current
location, which makes it harder and harder each time to make Tamahagane again…
During his studies at the metallurgy department, his eldest son, Shigeyoshi,
was born in 1933 (Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki married at he age of 27). In 1935, the family
moved from Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture to Zushi (逗子市, Zushi-shi),
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
When completing graduate school in 1938, Kōsuke was 36 years old. He became an
assistant of the University of Tokyo engineering department until 1945. At the end
of WWII, he tried to make high quality Japanese swords with government support.
The Iwasaki family moved in 1945 to Sanjō, hometown of Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki’s father.
After the war, in 1947, he established “Sanjō Works“ (“Sanjō-seisakusho” or
“Sanjō-seisakusyo”) in Sanjō, which made the world famous Iwasaki razors.
(His son Shigeyoshi was about 13-14y. around that time)
As he kept on researching about Tamahagane, including scientific analysis
of metallographic structure by a “metallographic microscope”, he also began
a field survey at the mountains of Kyoto and Mikawa for a study of whetstones
which influences the sharpness and polish.
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki and his study of steel with a microscope had
contributed significantly to the evolution of steel production in Sanjō city.
The Tokyo blacksmith union, Niigata Yoita blacksmith union & Niigata Sanjō
blacksmith union exchanged information with each other, as aim to improve
their technology.
‘Yamada Yuichi’ 山田勇一 , °1905, was helped by ‘Iwasaki Kōsuke’ 岩崎航介
to improve the quality inspection of steel with a microscope.
Around 1955 ‘Yamada Yuichi’ was a leader of the Sanjō blacksmith union.
(rk-trading.ocnk.net/page/14, daikudougu.web.fc2.com/umihiro)
In 1952, a study of the process of excellent forged cutlery using Tamahagane steel
was admitted, thereby, Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki was given a grant (subsidy) of 600.000 yen
from the “Ministry of International Trade and Industry” for technology research.
There was also support of an acquaintance, of which equipment was borrowed.
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki had built a smithy on the basis of the subsidy.
In 1954, he started the manufacturing and production of the razor (western-style razor
or ‘straight razor’), made of Tamahagane steel, a steel which keeps its sharpness as best of the world! (His son, Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, who helped him, was 21years old)
In 1961, Mr. Ryouichi Mizuochi 水落 良市氏 and Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka joined the company.
With only 7 people, including Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki and his father Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki, together with two younger brothers and a sister of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki (see further),
the production of the Western razor (西洋剃刀 or Seiyō kamisori) and the Japanese razor
(和剃刀 or wa kamisori) came into full swing. Later on, Mr. Iizuka became independent, known as “Shigefusa”『重房』(see further).
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki got cancer in 1963, Mr. Shigeyoshi (about 30 years old)
needed to take responsibility for the technical guidance of pupils, business
management, production and sale of the razors.
In August, 1967, while continuing to promote the scientific investigation of swords,
he died of recurrence cancer, he became 64 years old.
At this point, Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki’s research and scientific analysis of steel is taken
over by his eldest son Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, who, due to his outstanding skills and
extraordinary leadership, as a leading black- and smith, thereby giving a significant
impact on the technical improvement of subsequent Sanjō cutlery industry.
Because of his studies, razor manufacturing, innovative cutlery making with
scientific analysis using a “metallographic microscope”, and bringing this to
the cutlery blacksmith, Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki has contributed greatly to the local
manufacturer technology and its quality improvement. He kept on researching
Japanese swords and steel, and influenced the Sanjō steel industry in Niigata a
lot, as well as the entire steel industry in Japan.
(Ref.: 
: 1, 6, 7, 8 
: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 )
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki
has devoted his entire life to razors and cutlery. (°1933, Yokosuka,
Kanagawa Prefecture, father: Kōsuke Iwasaki, mother: Shinko)
In 1945, he went to the private junior-high school “Zushi Kaisei”, he graduated
from high school, Prefectural Sanjō, 1951. In the midst of poverty, he saw promise
in the farming technology. He got a job in the poultry farming business near Tokyo.
Around September 1951 he was confronted with restructuring because of the
post-war depression restructuring.
After this, Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki began to help his father with his research.
(Update ’18, Sept)
Shigeyoshi Iwasaki was … the son of Kōsuke Iwasaki, who was a blacksmith
himself and more than that–a gifted metallurgist, who researched the system
used to classify Japanese steel quality (paper steel, ball steel, etc.).
So in the old way, Shigeyoshi learned at the feet of his father, living with
steel from his earliest years. (1b)
After Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki is given a grant (subsidy) of 600.000 yen for technology research in 1952, extra equipment was borrowed, a smithy was built, 300.000 yen was borrowed from the “People’s Finance Corporation” for a “micro Vickers hardness meter” and a camera for taking picture of the metal structure. It was important for Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki to have excellent machinery and equipment for taking good judgments concerning steel.
After young Shigeyoshi had graduated from high school, he was send by his father to
be an apprentice with several master blacksmiths. One of them was sword smith Master Nagashima Munenori, Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki’s Tamahagane and sword forging mentor.
Combining the theoretical study of father Kōsuke, and the practical blacksmith
technology mastered by Shigeyoshi, in 1954 (Shigeyoshi, 21years old) they
succeed in the development of the Tamahagane steel made Western razor.
Actually, Sanjō Seisakujo had beaten Solingen (Germany) razors for the quality
and performance, however they could not produce their Western Tamahagane
razors as much as Solingen could produce their razors.
Unlike conventional blacksmiths, Iwasaki used scientific equipment, such as
a device that tests hardness and a metallographic microscope.
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki got married in 1958 to Fumiko (or Ayako) Satō, a childhood friend.
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki also had several apprentices, for example Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka, or “Shigefusa” (1954), Mr. Shigetoshi Sato (1967), Yoshikane,…
In 1998, Munich, Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki received the
“Bavaria Prime Minister Gold Medal” for “technology to create a
superior cutlery using tamahagane”, which is a grand prize of craftsmanship.
Which began as a rivalry, has now become a mutual recognition of
the qualities in each other.
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki also shared his skills
and knowledge to whoever wanted to learn. Several years ago he organised
“Sanjō Kaji Shudan”, a volunteer group of 30 Sanjō smiths who help ordinary
people try out smithery once a month. Some became professional sword smiths.
His sharing wasn’t limited to Japan. Since 1983 he has been regularly dispatched
by the “Japan International Cooperation Agency” for developing countries such
as Bangladesh, Nepal and Kenya to instruct local smiths in advanced skills.
Some people said if Iwasaki sold that kind of super high quality razors, they weren’t
able to sell lots of razors, and weren’t able to make money. Iwasaki thought it wasn’t
good to think that way. If they were able to make razors to be used from father to son,
and from son to grandson, it could beat German razors. Nobody else made/makes that
kind of razors, which made it able to sell all over the world, and that was exactly what
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki wanted.
(Update ’19, April)
Springhammer Trailer: Shigeyoshi Iwasaki
(Ref.: : 6, 7, 8, 15, 17 : 3, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 )
At one time, “Sanjō Works” had Mr. Kousuke Iwasaki, Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki,
two of his other sons, Mr. Mizuochi (who presently makes Iwasaki razors), and
Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka (who makes “Shigefusa” 『重房』knifes) as their workers, the
company really had a dream team of Japan cutlery.
Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi worked at “Sanjō Works”
when he was young but he had to succeed his fathers shop and stopped making
razors. (I believe he worked at “Sanjō Works” from 1961 till around 1971 (daikudougu.web.fc2.com)). When he got 60 years old he came back because
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki got ill and couldn’t fulfil orders.
In 2014, Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi was acknowledged as a Master of Traditional Crafts
by the Japanese government. (japanhouselondon.uk)
Mr. Mizuochi is still engaged in manufacturing traditional Japanese razors at
Mr. Iwasaki’s factory. He is also an active traditional craftsman. The number of
orders are so large, there is a 1-3 year waiting list.
Address 三条製作所 Sanjō seisakusho (Sanjo Works / Sanjō Manufacturing Co., Ltd.):
1305 Koanji, Sanjo-city (kouba-fes.jp/三条製作所-2014)
All these members are part of the “Echigo Sanjō Blacksmith group”.
Here is a picture of the staff of “Sanjō Works” around 1963:
From right to left:
次弟尚武(ひさたけ)氏 = Younger brother (of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki) Mr. Hisatake
末弟勝介(かつすけ)氏 = Youngest brother (of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki) Mr. Katsusuke
水落良市氏 = Mr. Ryouichi Mizuochi
岩崎重義 = Shigeyoshi Iwasaki with child:
長女恵 (めぐみ) Eldest daughter Megumi
妹頁子さん = Younger sister Ms. Pējiko
文子夫人 = Mrs. Fumiko (or Ayako = wife of Shigeyoshi Iwasaki), 佐藤文子 = Fumiko (or Ayako) Satō, with child:
長男覚 (さとる) Eldest son Satoru
飯塚解房氏 = Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka
後に独立し庖丁緞(or瑕)冶 which later became independent
重房を名乗る then called “Shigefusa“
(Ref.: : 1, 6, 7, 8, : 9, 10, 18 )
Around 1954, Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka (飯塚解房 or īdzuka shigefusa (飯塚重房)
or ‘Seiso Izuka’)) began his apprenticeship as a teenager with sword maker
Mr. Kousuke Iwasaki and Tamahagane razor maker Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki at
“Sanjō Works”, making traditional Japanese razors. After 10 years, he decided
to become a maker of cutlery.
In 1964, Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka was introduced by Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki to the famous Mr.Munenori Nagashima, who made Japanese swords before becoming a (Kasumi)
knife maker following World War II. After being an apprentice of Mr. Nagashima
for several months, learning how to make knives, he started his own business “Shigefusa”『重房』in 1964 (which later on included his 2 sons, Masayuki Iizuka
and Yoshihide Iizuka). By the age of 38 he had already been celebrated as the best houchou (Japanese style chef’s knife) blacksmith in Japan. Mr. Izuka is currently
still an active master as a traditional craftsman of Traditional Japanese knives.
Here we see 4 kitchen knives made by “Shigefusa”『重房』
Together with the 『重房』stamp, at first glance, it seems that next to 特製 (“Tokusei”,
“Special product”), also the ㊂ stamp (“Sanjō” or “Maru-san”, of ‘Sanjō seisakusho’)
to be seen:
(kitchenknifeforums.com/Kanji help Shigefusa)
登録 = “Tōroku” = “Registrated”
重房 = “Shigefusa”
/ ㊂ 特製 = / ㊂ “Tokusei” = / ㊂ “Special product”
When looking carefully these 4 knives though, there seems to be only 2 lines in the circle ( = “二” in “◯”), and not 3 “三” in “◯”, as in the ㊂ stamp!
(Shigefusa) 
(Shigefusa)
(Kamisori, Iwasaki) 
(Kamisori, Shigeyoshi Iwasaki)
(Kiridashi, Shigeyoshi Iwasaki) 
(Kiridashi, Shigeyoshi Iwasaki)
Maybe the 4th “Shigefusa”『重房』knife does resembles the “Sanjō Works – ㊂ Maru-san” stamp a bit more, but I can’t help thinking there seems to be 1 line less in the circle…
At the moment, it isn’t clear if this stamp on “Shigefusa”『重房』knives is in fact a
“Maru-ni” (“circle with 2 lines”) stamp, and possibly a variant of the “Sanjō Works –
㊂ Maru-san” stamp, or if it intentionally was made to look like the “Sanjō Works –
㊂ Maru-san” stamp, or even if it is just a “Sanjō Works – ㊂ Maru-san” which looks
a bit differently, possible because such a stamp looks differently on knives then
on razors, I don’t know…
Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka worked at “Sanjō Works” since 1954, and joined the company
around 1961. He started to make knives around 1964 and became “Shigefusa”『重房』
later that year. So, for me, IMHO, these knives, could possibly made at “Sanjō Works”
or at least in the early stages of the new business of “Shigefusa”『重房』, which
leads me to think that these knives could be made around 1964 or a bit later…
It seems that a or ㊂ seems to be very rare on a “Shigefusa”『重房』knife…
Around 1954, both Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki and Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki
could have made razors.
“In 1961, Mr. Ryouichi Mizuochi and Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka joined the company. Together with two younger
brothers and a sister of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, the production of the Western razor (西洋剃刀 or Seiyō kamisori)
and the Japanese razor (和剃刀 or wa kamisori) came into full swing, this only with 7 people, including
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki and his father Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki”
Between 1954 and 1964, Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka began his apprenticeship as a teenager with sword maker Mr. Kousuke
Iwasaki and Tamahagane razor maker Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki at “Sanjō Works”, making traditional Japanese razors
Mr. Mizuochi worked “Sanjō Works” when he was young but he had to succeed his fathers shop and stopped
making razors. When he got 60 years old he came back because Iwasaki san got ill and could not fulfil orders.
Between 1954 and 1964, kamisori could also be made (besides Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki and maybe Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki) by Mr. Tokifusa Iizuka, especially between 1961 and 1964, when he joined the company. Since 1961, the Western razor and the Japanese razors (kamisori) could also be made by Mr. Ryouichi Mizuochi, who presently makes
the Iwasaki razors, although he stopped making razors for a while to succeed his fathers shop and stopped making razors. (I believe he worked at “Sanjō Works” from 1961
till around 1971 (daikudougu.web.fc2.com)). When he got 60 years old he came back
because Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki got ill and couldn’t fulfil orders.
I couldn’t find what kind of work the two brothers and sister of Shigeyoshi had…
It is obvious that it is near to impossible to know who exactly made the razors, although
it seems that most razors were made by Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki (1954 or earlier – until a few years ago) and Mr. Ryouichi Mizuochi (1961 – now).
Concerning straight razors, Iwasaki didn’t do the entire work on his own.
Straight razors require an entirely other skill set then making kamisori: polishing and finishing. In order to make straight razors that met his strict quality requirements,
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki approached one of Japan’s three “Straight Razor Masters”,
Master Tanifuji (Fukutarō), to train the Iwasaki family in razor finishing and scaling.
However, after the training, Mr. Iwasaki realised that not only would they have to build
an entirely new workshop with new equipment, the additional time involved in proper
polishing and scaling the razors would reduce production output immensely.
So instead of doing the finishing themselves, all Iwasaki razors were finished by
Master Tanifuji and his students. This means that the blades were forged, ground
and stamped by Iwasaki, then polished and scaled by Master Tanifuji. Master Tanifuji retired at the age of 79, around 1973, and since that time, there have been no new Iwasaki straight razors.
There are also Western carbon steel straight razors of Iwasaki to be found,
which were finished by Master Kamijō Yukio (上條幸夫 or 上条幸夫 (作)), and bear
his mark “KAMIJO”. There haven’t been Kamijō razors made after
1965 (昭和40年). (Kamijō Yukio)
There are also razors to be found with the combination of 岩崎 (Iwasaki) 上條 (Kamijo):
- 「 岩崎 上條」「 六三六·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 636·2 Tamahagane
Actually, he was the first to finish the Iwasaki Western straight razors before Tanifuji
took over. At Iwasaki’s request, Kamijō Yukio, at the age of 92, moved his equipment to
Iwasaki’s forge and taught them all he knew about how to hand forge and grind razors.
He had been a member of Dr. Kōsuke Iwasaki’s study group. He worked together with
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki and finished most of the early Iwasaki razors.
Kamijo’s razors are now almost impossible to find in Japan and very sought after
by Japanese collectors, they are much harder to find than Iwasaki’s razors, and is
even harder to come by outside Japan.
For some, they are regarded as the best shaving razors ever, they also are
very hard, some have been tested at Rockwell 67 (880 on the Vickers scale)!
As seen before, besides Master Tanifuji (Fukutarō) and Master Kamijō Yukio,
possibly Iwasaki’s straight razors could have been finished as well by “Tokiwa” (トキワ)
(or it was one of the distributors of Iwasaki’s straight razors)
Japanese razors (kamisori)
‘General’
Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi showing finishing of a Iwasaki kamisori:
www.youtube.com
play.tojsiab.com
Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi showing Iwasaki kamisori honing:
www.youtube.com
On Iwasaki Tamahagane kamisori (single edged Japanese razors),
there are three types of engraving, found on the blade (Ura):
- “Tamahagane Iwasaki” 「玉鋼 岩崎」
(found on kamisori with SN “409·1” (or lower)
to “907·7” (or higher), this is the mark of Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki) - “Tamahagane ㊂ Iwasaki” 「玉鋼 ㊂ 岩崎」
(found on kamisori with SN “949·37” (or lower) to “1169·19″ (or higher), could be a
stamp of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki’s or Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi. This stamp is also seen on the
carbon steel straight razors, as well on the 30, 30 M, 33, 50 1/2, 60 レディ”Lady”, 70 G, 80 T, 90 H
straight razors, it is also found on the Tamahagane kamisori with serial number “11·44” &
“16·81″… There are verified Shigeyoshi Iwasaki made razors with such a stamp, for example:
, so it seems that Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki used different kind of stamps. ‘Recently’
made kamisori are stamped as well with such a stamp, so Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi, who is
making the Iwasaki kamisori today, seems to be using this stamp as well, or a very similar one…
At the moment I can’t distinguish Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki’s mark from Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi… - “Tamahagane ㊂ Shigeyoshi” 「玉鋼 ㊂ 重義」
In addition, there are three types of engraving on carbon steel/ Swedish steel kamisori:
- “Carbon steel Iwasaki” 「炭素鋼 岩崎」or 「炭素鋼㊂岩崎」
(found on a carbon steel (Tansoko) kamisori with serial number 2998. Apparently these razors are one of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki’s many experiments, developing
a steel to supercede Tamahagane). Striking is the similarity between the Iwasaki stamp
and the one found on Tamahagane straight razors.) - “Registered ㊂ Iwasaki” 「登録 ㊂ 岩崎」
(Swedish carbon steel) - “㊂ Iwasaki” 「 ㊂ 岩崎」
(Swedish carbon steel?)
In the end roughly there are six stamp types of which the “Tamahagane Iwasaki”
stamp「玉鋼 岩崎」(without ㊂, of Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki) seems to be the oldest type.
About the ㊂ stamp:
We know that Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki used the ㊂ stamp
(刀匠, sword smith 重義, Shigeyoshi)
(重義, Shigeyoshi)
, 
The early Tamahagane kamisori (serial numbers (SN), going from 200 to about 950) didn’t have this ㊂ stamp though:
“Tamahagane Iwasaki” 「玉鋼 岩崎」
Also the 岩崎 stamp is different, this is the stamp of
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki 岩崎航介氏 (father of Shigeyoshi).
The same 岩崎 stamp is found on “carbon steel” kamisori:
(see further → “Miyamoto”)
→ Often a paper can be seen wrapped around the kamisori:
岩崎の日本剃刀 = Iwasaki no Nihon kamisori ⇒ Iwasaki’s Japanese razor
検査済 本刃付 = kensa sumi honbadzuke ⇒ this razor is “fully inspected”
三条製作所 = “Sanjō-seisakusho / Sanjō-seisakusyo” ⇒ “Sanjo works; factory; plant”
⇒ Iwasaki’s Japan razor (kamisori), fully inspected, Sanjo Works
•
Other Iwasaki’s kamisori wrapping papers:
岩崎登録商標 = Iwasaki, tōroku shōhyō ⇒ Iwasaki, registered trademark
岩崎の日本剃刀 = Iwasaki no Nihon kamisori ⇒ Iwasaki’s Japanese razor (kamisori)
検査済 = kensa sumi ⇒ “fully inspected”
•
研ぎ万 (togi man) ⇒ Sharpening
•
1 砥粒は次第にこまがく
2 圧力は始め強く除々に抜いて最後は剃刀の重さだけで
3 剃刀の動く距離は段々みじかく
4 研ぐ時間(回数)は仕上げに近ずくにつれて長く
5 革砥はしずかに
finally finishing with only the weight of the razor
剃刀の切味は研きによつて左右されますか
ら五つの原則にしたがつてよい刃をつけて
下さる様お願いします。私共はよい剃刀を
つくる為絶えず研究を続けております
The sharpness of the razor will be influenced by the sharpening,
so please follow the five principles and use a good blade.
We constantly continue research to create a good razor
•
㊂登録商標 = Marusan, tōroku shōhyō ⇒ Marusan, registered trademark
玉鋼日本剃刀 = Tamahagane Nihon kamisori ⇒ Tamahagane Japanese razor (kamisori)
検査済 = kensa sumi ⇒ checked / inspected
三条製作所 = “Sanjō-seisakusho / Sanjō-seisakusyo” ⇒ “Sanjo works; factory; plant”
岩崎謹製 = Iwasaki kinsei ⇒ humbly made by Iwasaki
•
1 砥粒は次第にこまがく
2 圧力は始め強く除々に抜いて最後は剃刀の重さだけで
3 剃刀の動く距離は段々みじかく
4 研ぐ時間(回数)は仕上げに近ずくにつれて長く
5 革砥はしずかに
finally finishing with only the weight of the razor
剃刀の切味は研きによつて左右されますか
ら五つの原則にしたがつてよい刃をつけて
下さる様お願いします。私共はよい剃刀を
つくる為絶えず研究を続けております
⇒
The sharpness of the razor will be influenced by the sharpening,
so please follow the five principles and use a good blade.
We constantly continue research to create a good razor
•
◎ ◎ ◎
世界一の日本刀剣の材料「たまはがね」を使い、刀鍜冶の秘伝と、鋼
の分子の顕微鏡検査、微小硬度計による硬さの測定等、科学的な検査
を組合わせて特別念入りにつくった最高級品です
皆様の御希望に副う様硬さを変えて「甘向き」「中くらい」「硬い」の
三種類を揃えてありますからお好みのものを撰んで下さい
⇒
◎ = ‘Very good’
Using the world’s best Japanese sword material “Tamahagane”,
together with the secrets of the Swordsmith and steel, microscopic
examination of the molecules of steel, measurement of hardness by
a microhardness meter, etc., it is the highest quality product specially
designed by combining scientific examination.
Changing the hardness to match everyone’s wishes, there are three kinds:
“tending towards soft”, “medium” and “hard”, so please choose your favourite one
•
(forum.knifriend.com)
別打㊂岩崎
= Betsu da (Betsu uchi) ㊂ Iwasaki = Specially forged ㊂ Iwasaki
別打二丁掛 = Betsu da (Betsu uchi) Nichōgake = Specially forged Large
岩崎の日本剃刀 = Iwasaki no Nihon kamisori ⇒ Iwasaki’s Japanese razor (kamisori)
検査済 本刃付 = kensa sumi honbadzuke ⇒ this razor is “fully inspected”
三条製作所 = “Sanjō-seisakusho / Sanjō-seisakusyo” ⇒ “Sanjo works; factory; plant”
•
研ぎ万 (togi man) ⇒ Sharpening
•
1 砥粒は次第にこまがく
2 圧力は始め強く除々に抜いて最後は剃刀の重さだけで
3 剃刀の動く距離は段々みじかく
4 研ぐ時間(回数)は仕上げに近ずくにつれて長く
5 革砥はしずかに
finally finishing with only the weight of the razor
剃刀の切味は研きによつて左右されますから
五つの原則にしたがつてよい刃をつけて
下さるようお願いします。
私共はよい剃刀を作る為絶えず研究を
続けております。
Since the sharpness of the razor will be influenced by sharpening, we ask you
to use a good blade which is preferably in accordance with the five principles.
We constantly continue our research to make a good razor.
•
Japanese razors (kamisori)
‘Tamahagane’
In the early Iwasaki Tamahagane kamisori there are numbers (in Arabic) engraved in
the middle of the handle (which is made of soft iron).The first Iwasaki kamisori don’t have a ㊂ sign. Kamisori, associated with the「玉鋼 岩崎」stamp (without the ㊂ sign), have serial numbers (SN), going from 200 to about 950, for example:
Somewhere between SN 907·7 and 949·37 the stamp
「玉鋼 岩崎」 changed to 「玉鋼 ㊂ 岩崎」
The newer series, with SN (in Arabic) around 950 and higher are seen with
the current type of stamp:「玉鋼 ㊂ 岩崎」(“Tamahagane steel ㊂ Iwasaki”):
Strangely enough there are also razors to be found with the newer
“Tamahagane ㊂ Iwasaki”「玉鋼 ㊂ 岩崎」stamp, though with a serial
number lower then 100…
1.86 (ア=’A’)
(wrapping paper “SN 10·8”)
Sadly I don’t know the meaning of the serial numbers lower then 100…
Maybe the numbering started over again with the move of their forge, I don’t know…
The fact is that at a certain moment (unknown timeframe) the custom of
using serial numbers on the handle disappeared, making it very hard or
impossible to know wether it concerns a new or an old kamisori…
It can be noted that the Tamahagane symbol on Japanese razors (kamisori)
seems to change now and then (look at the 玉):
A few special Tamahagane Iwasaki kamisori:
Sadly, I don’t know the meaning of ‘K’ or ‘7’…
Japanese razors (kamisori)
‘Carbon steel’ – ‘Swedisch steel’
‘Carbon steel‘ kamisori「炭素鋼 岩崎」or 「炭素鋼㊂岩崎」
Apparently, the (old) “Carbon steel” 「炭素鋼 岩崎」or 「炭素鋼㊂岩崎」
kamisori were one of Shigeyoshi-san’s many experiments in developing
a steel trying to supersede Tamahagane.
They are exceptionally hard and difficult to sharpen but can get a superb edge,
possible a bit brittle though. (炭素鋼 = Tanso-kō = (Pure) Carbon Steel)
The ‘M’ found on the handle most probably means it was tempered to ‘medium’ hardness
(Updated: 2018, April, June, Nov)
These 炭素鋼 kanji are also seen on straight razors:
- 33 岩崎 (Shigeyoshi Iwasaki stamp type), 上條 (Kamijō)·炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
This seems to be an early razor, because the ㊂ mark is missing - 51 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, KAMIJO, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
- 101 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, KAMIJO, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- 805 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
- 1535 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
- 2119 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
- 2311 ㊂ 岩崎 (Marusan Iwasaki), 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
- 2771 ㊂ 岩崎 (Marusan Iwasaki), 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
Since ‘KAMIJO’ is written here in Western lettres (besides the first one),
possibly these are from the end of Kamijo’s career, working with Iwasaki.
The ‘805’, ‘1535’, ‘2119’, … would be younger…
The current “carbon steel” (Swedish steel) kamisori
don’t have a specific ‘Swedisch steel’ stamp:
「登録 ㊂ 岩崎」”Registered ㊂ Iwasaki”
(Made of Swedish carbon steel)
(Updated ’18, June, Nov)
→ There can be Serial Numbers (SN) seen on these
carbon steel made kamisori, for example:
炭素鋼 (carbon steel) 岩崎 宮本 (Kōsuke Iwasaki stamp type + Miyamoto, see further)
.
.
.
.
炭素鋼 (carbon steel) ㊂ 岩崎 (Shigeyoshi Iwasaki stamp type)
.
.
.
.
炭素鋼 (carbon steel) ㊂ 岩崎 (younger Iwasaki stamp type)
.
•
There are 3 variations to be observed:
- This “carbon steel” kamisori with SN 1 has the 岩崎 stamped like this:
IMHO this is a stamp used by Shigeyoshi Iwasaki or Ryoichi Mizuochi (see further) - “Carbon steel” kamisori SN 2998, 3708, 3754,… has the 岩崎 stamped like this:
which is IMHO used by Shigeyoshi Iwasaki (see further) - The “carbon steel” kamisori with SN 635 炭素鋼 岩崎 宮本 635 is very interesting,
first of all, it doesn’t have the ㊂ stamp:
(Also observe the broader handle)
Secondly, it has the 岩崎 stamped like this:
which is IMHO used by Kōsuke Iwasaki. The absence of the ㊂ stamp
leads me to think this “Carbon steel” kamisori SR 635 is made in the beginning
of the production and possibly made by Kōsuke Iwasaki. Possible, Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, started the SN again from 1, maybe after Shigeyoshi Iwasaki took over
the business from his father, around 1963…(note sure! This is my own conclusion which is plausible for myself!).Other examples:
SN 75O 炭素鋼 岩崎 宮本 750
Not sure at all, but maybe the numbers ‘635’ & ‘750’
are possibly Hardness scale numbers…
If this would be the case, possibly it means:
Hv 635 (Vickers) = 57,2 HRc Rockwell
Hv 750 (Vickers) = approx. 62,1 HRc Rockwell
Occasionally, there are even Iwasaki kamisori (Carbon steel?, Swedish steel?)
to be found with only a ㊂ and Iwasaki stamp on the handle!
宮本 – ‘Miyamoto’
After 岩崎 stands 宮本 = ‘Miyamoto’
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki had learned the study of the Japanese sword.
Eventually he was able to manufacture the Tamahagane straight razor using
the technology of swordsmith. Around 1960-’65, there is more demand for
Japanese razors (kamisori). The production of a ‘straight razor’ and a kamisori
is different. It seems that it was commercialised as a result of a coöperation with
Mr. Miyamoto (宮本), Hyogo prefecture, Ono city (兵庫県小野市), who was a
specialist of ‘Japanese razor’ (kamisori). Apparently, forged Tamahagane steel
was sent to Mr. Miyamoto for processing, then it was sent back for quenching,
and sent back again for the final finish.
Products around that time didn’t have a ㊂ stamp!
Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi, working at “Sanjō Works” from 1961 till around 1971 (daikudougu.web.fc2.com) (and came back later on), had sent and received
these kind of parcel many times for that reason.
IMHO this means the “Tamahagane” piece of the kamisori (the shaving part)
was made by Kōsuke Iwasaki, or the ones working with Iwasaki.
I believe Miyamoto attached the soft steel (Omote side) and handle,
then the whole razor was being quenched by Iwasaki,
and finally finished by Miyamoto.
In the end, Mr. ‘Miyamoto’ staid at Sanjō for about a week for guidance.
From that moment they were able to perform all processes in-house,
since then the product (kamisori) was marked with a ㊂ stamp!
When Mr. īdzuka Shigefusa 飯塚重房 (worked at “Sanjō Works” around 1954-1964)
was shown a Tamahagane 岩崎 kamisori without the ㊂ stamp, he stated:
「これは昭和40年前後のものでしょう。」 – “This will be around 1965”!
Further on we will see that the ㊂ stamp began to be used since around 1965.
(http://daikudougu.web.fc2.com/toei-iwasakikamisori.html)
(Updated: 2018, April)
Another example:
·
安来鋼青ー ・ 岩崎 ・ 宮本合作
Yasugihagane Ao・Iwasaki・Miyamoto gassaku
= Yasuki Steel Blue・Iwasaki・Miyamoto Collaboration
Previous shown kamisori are proof of the coöperation between
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki (岩崎) & Mr. Miyamoto (宮本), they not only made Tamahagane
kamisori together, but also carbon steel and even Yasuki steel kamisori.
It also confirms that this type of 岩崎 stamp is property of Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki.
They would be made around 1960-’65.
It appears that kamisori were produced in a later stage,
first the focus went to the (Tamahagane) Western straight razors!
Japanese razors (kamisori)
‘shizu saburō’
One of the mysteries still remaining are the kamisori of 志津三郎 ‘shizu saburō’
with the ㊂ ‘Maru-san’ stamp on it:
特別請合 = Tokubetsu ukea(i) = special guarantee
特級 / 特级 = Tokkyū = high grade; special grade
登録商標 = tōroku shōhyō, registered trademark
㊂ ‘Maru-san’ ?
志津三郎 ‘shizu saburō’
Sadly I don’t know the what the connection is between ‘shizu saburō’ & ㊂ ‘Maru-san’ …
Western razors – Straight Razors
‘Tamahagane’
On Iwasaki double edged Western straight razors, made of
Tamahagane, there are also serial numbers to be found, roughly
around 200 – 1900. In contrast to the Arabic written numbers on
kamisori, the straights have numbers written with Japanese kanji
(numbers from 1 to 9: 一二三四五六七八九).The meaning of the serial numbers probably has something to do
with the production of Tamahagane.From a single Tatara production (batch) there is enough Tamahagane
to make about 6-8 straight razors (maybe 9). Tamahagane straight razors.
Since it is made entirely out of Tamahagane steel, needs about 6 times
more amount of Tamahagane then Japanese Tamahagane razors (kamisori),
which explains why on Tamahagane straight razors, the number after the “·”
isn’t more then 9 (九), while on kamisori the number after the “·” exceeds
well above 40. The first number (before the “·”) therefore would be the
count of Tatara production (batch), the number after the “·” would stand for
the amount of razors, made of that particular batch. In that way, it also
would make sense why the serial numbers on carbon steel razors only have
1 number, and not 2, divided with a “·”, as with the Tamahagane razors.
•
Early straight razors with serial numbers lower then 700, as seen below,
have a combination of both stamps 岩崎 (Iwasaki) and 上條 (Kamijo).
( → Kamijo, also see Kamijō Yukio)Somewhere between Serial Number “644·8” & “686·1”, the trademark
changed from「 岩崎·上條」to「 ㊂ 岩崎 」, the Kamiju kanji disappeared…
(around 1965?)The Tamahagane razors with SR around “686·1” – “820·4” apparently
have an extra “Arabic” number on the tang, which seems to indicate the
last number of the SR ( = the number of the razor, out of one single
Tamahagane lot/piece, for example 八二◯·四玉鋼 (= 820·4), on this razor
we see an extra “4” written in Arabic)Strangely enough some other razors also have an extra “Arabic” number
on the tang but that number has nothing to do with the SR…
So after all, the extra “Arabic” number probably has another meaning…
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 6」「 八九◯·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 890·5 Tamahagane
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 7」「 ◯九八四·五玉鋼」Iwasaki 0 984·5 Tamahagane
the Rockwell value (Rockwell C scale or HRC) against its Hv (Vickers scale) is approx.,
tameshigiri.ca, lutz-blades.com)
- 「 岩崎 ·上條」「 二一三·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 213·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 岩崎 ·上條」「 二四八·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 248·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 岩崎 ·上條」「 二七二·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 272·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 岩崎 上條」「 四◯九·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 409·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 岩崎 上條」「 五二三·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 523·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 岩崎 上條」「 六一七·六玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 617·6 Tamahagane
·
·
- 「 岩崎 上條」「 六三六·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 636·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 岩崎 上條」「 六四四·八玉鋼」= Iwasaki Kamiju 644·8 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 1?」「 六八六·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 686·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 7」「 七◯七·七玉鋼」= Iwasaki 707·7 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 5」「 七二九·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 729·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 4」「 八二◯·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 820·4 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 1」「 八三◯·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 830·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 八三七·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 837·4 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 八八四·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 884·4 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎 6」「 八九◯·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 890·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 八九四·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 894·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 八九九·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 899·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 九三二·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 932·4 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 九六一·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 961·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 九八一·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 981·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一◯四一·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1041·1 Tamahagane
·
On the box, is written 1041·1 in Arabic, and Hv 900
(Hardened to Hv 900 on the Vickers scale = around 67 Rockwell!) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一◯五九·七玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1059·7 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一◯九三·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1093·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一一〇五・五」= Iwasaki 1105·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一一五六·・〇」= Iwasaki 1156·0 Tamahagane
(Thank you ‘alex1921’ from SRP!)
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一二三六·六玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1236·6 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三二◯·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1320·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三二◯·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1320·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三三七·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1337·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三四二·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1342·2 Tamahagane
·
- Iwasaki 1363·1 Tamahagane
On the box, is written 1363·1 in Arabic, and Hv 860
(Hardened to Hv 860 on the Vickers scale = 66 Rockwell!) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三六四·七玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1364·7 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三六五·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1365·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三七四·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1374·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三九五·六玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1395·6 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一三九八·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1398·4 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四一〇・五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1410·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四三三·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1433·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四五一·二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1451·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四四八・二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1448·2 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四六五·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1465·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四六六·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1466·4 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一四六八·四玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1468·4 Tamahagane
·
On the box, is written 1468 in Arabic, and Hv 810
(Hardened to Hv 810 on the Vickers scale = approx. 64 Rockwell)
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五◯八·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1508·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五◯八·九玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1508·9 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五一一・九玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1511·9 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五一五・三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1515·3 Tamahagane
·
(On the box, is written 1515·3, and Hv 815
(Hardened to Hv 815 on the Vickers scale = around 64 Rockwell) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五三二・九玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1532·9 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五四◯・九玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1540·9 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五四七・三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1547·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一五七五・六玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1575·6 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一六◯四·六玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1604·6 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一六◯四·七玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1604·7 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一六◯七·八玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1607·8 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「一六一四 ・五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1614·5 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一六五八·八玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1658·8 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一六六六·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1666·5 Tamahagane
·
On the box, is written 1666.5 in Arabic, and Hv 790
(Hardened to Hv 790 on the Vickers scale = around 63 Rockwell)
(Updated, 2018, April)
品名 玉鋼レーザー (Hinmei tamahagane rēzā) Item, Tamahagane Razor
製品番号 1666.5 (Seihin bangō 1666.5) Product number: 1666.5
型 中細型 別 (?) 1/2ベタ (Gata Nakaboso-gata Betsu (?) 1/2 beta)
Type: Medium thin type/size – Special – (?) 1/2 “Solid” ( = Half Hollow)
硬さ Hv 790 (Kata-sa Hv 790) Hardness: Hv 790
鋼の分子 秀 (Hagane no bunshi Shū) Molecules of steel: Excellencent
焼入の検査 合格 (Yakiire no kensa Gōkaku) Quenching inspection: Passed
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一六七六·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1676·3 Tamahagane
·
(scales) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一七二一·九玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1721·9 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一七二七·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1727·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一七三五·七玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1735·7 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一七五七・八玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1757·8 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一七七四・一 玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1774·1 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「一八一四・三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1814·3 Tamahagane (private collection)
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一八一七·三玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1817·3 Tamahagane
·
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一八一九·一玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1819·1 Tamahagane
·
(scales) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一九◯◯·五玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1900·5 Tamahagane
·
(on scales:玉鋼) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一九◯一·六玉鋼」= Iwasaki 1901·6 Tamahagane
A couple peculiarities (Updated 2019, Jan):
- 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 ◯千·四二玉鋼」= Iwasaki 0 1000·42 Tamahagane
·
(“◯千” = “a thousand” or “one thousand”?) - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 ◯九八四·五玉鋼」Iwasaki 0 984·5 Tamahagane
·
I don’t know why “7” is stamped… - 「 ㊂ 岩崎」「 一一五六·・〇」= Iwasaki 1156·0 Tamahagane
(Thank you ‘alex1921’ from SRP!)
·
I’m not sure, but maybe this is a rare 10th razor out of the batch, not sure at all!
(thank you very much alex1921!)
Attached paper to a Tamahagane Western straight razor:
登録 ㊂ 商標
玉鋼レーザー
たまはがねレーザーの特徴
• 世界一の日本刀剣の材料「たまはがね」を使つています。
• 刀鍜冶の秘伝と、鋼の分子の顕微鏡検査、微小硬度計による硬さの測定等
科学的な検査を組合せて精密につくった最高級品です。
• 一丁づつ製造番号が打つてあり、必ず検査証がついています。
• 科学的な検査に合格した優秀品のみ販売いたしますので外れが無く、安心
して使つていただけます。
• 品物には責任をもちます。
検査法
• 材料たする鍛錬した「たまはがね」がレーザーに適したものかどうか調べ
ます。
• 出来上つたレーザーの組織 (鋼の分子)を金属顕微鏡で調べます。セメン
タイトはつくり方の良い悪いが、マルテンサイトは焼入の良い悪いが判り
ます。
• 顕微鏡検査で合格したものは硬さを測ります。この時ミクロウイッカース
硬度計というダイヤモンドの錐をつけた機械を用います。
• 最後にスキのよし あした調べます。
おねがい
• 皆様の御希望に副う様「甘向き」「中くらい」「硬い」等いろいろの硬さ
の品を揃えてありますから、お好みのものを撰んで下さい。
• 砥石や名倉はよいものをえらび、角をおとし、砥石の面はいつも水平に保
つて下さい。
• 御使用後は、乾いた軟い布で拭き静かに革砥にかけて、錆の原因になる水
分をすつかり取除いてからしまつて下さい。
研ぎ方
レーザーの切味は研ぎによつて左右されますから、五つの原則にしたがつ
て、よい刃をつけて下さいます様お願いいたします。
1 砥粒はしだいにこまがく
2 圧力は始め強く、除々に抜いて最後はレーザーの重さだけで
3 レーザーを動かす距離はだんだん短かく
4 研ぐ時間(回数)は仕上に近ずくにつれて長く
5 革砥はしずかに
私共はよいレーザーをつくにる為に、絶えず研究をつづけております。
三条製作所 岩崎謹製
Registered ㊂ trademark
Tamahagane razor
Characteristics of Tamahagane razor
• I am using “Tamahagane”, the material of the world’s best Japanese sword.
• It is the highest quality product, precisely made by combining scientific examination such as sword secrets, microscopic examination of the molecules of steel, hardness measurement by a micro hardness meter etc.
• Each product has a stamped production number, there is also always an inspection certificate attached.
• We will only sell outstanding goods that have passed the scientific examination, so there is no deviation and you can use it with confidence.
• Have responsibility for items.
Inspection method
• Determine whether the “Tamahagane” which is prepared for use is suitable or not for a razor.
• Examine the structure (molecules of the steel) of a finished razor with a metallurgical microscope. Check for good or bad Cementite, check Martensite to known if the quenching was good.
• When passing the microscopic examination, we measure the hardness. At this time, I use a “Micro Vickers hardness tester” with a diamond cone.
• Finally I will investigate tomorrow.
Please
• We have items of various hardness, such as “towards soft”, “medium”, “hard” etc, please choose your favourite one.
• Select honing stones and Nagura and pick up good ones, cut off the corners and keep the stone surface always flat.
• After use, wipe it gently with a dry soft cloth, gently strike the leather (strop), removing the moisture that causes rust.
How to sharpen
Since the sharpness of the razor will be influenced by sharpening, please follow the five principles to get a good blade.
1 Abrasive grains gradually fade (During progression, use finer stones)
2 Pressure is strongly at the start, gradually diminishes, in the end only the weight of the razor
3 The distance to move the razor becomes gradually shorter (Strokes become shorter?)
4 Sharpening time (number of times) becomes longer when close to finish (Honing slower?)
5 Leather grinding quietly (Careful stropping)
We are constantly studying to get a good razor.
Sanjō Seisakusho Iwasaki kinsei (Sanjō Works Humbly made by Iwasaki)
Western razors – Straight Razors
‘Others’
(Updated: 2018, April)
The Iwasaki Western straight razor isn’t manufactured anymore since the 1980’s,
the Japanese razor (kamisori) is still made though, but without serial numbers…
Besides Tamahagane razors Iwasaki also made other kinds of straight razors, for
example a 7/8 rounded square point full hollow Tamahagane straight razor, a
smaller french tip half hollow Tamahagane straight razor, a 6/8 square point full
hollow Swedish steel #90 straight razor, a shorter bladed 5/8 Swedish steel #33
straight razor etc… This diversity filled specific needs and requests raised by barbers
who collaborated with the Iwasaki workshop when they were developing their razors.
For example, the rounded square point Tamahagane straight razor was made for
barbers who felt that a real square point easier led to nicks at the tip. For others, a
pronounced square tip helped to shave the nostrils, so they kept producing the full
square point on some straight razors. They produced half hollow straight razors for
most users, barbers who tended to shave against the grain, got more comfortable,
less nicky shaves with a thicker, half hollow straight razor. Besides Tamahagane,
there also were Carbon Steel, and Swedish Steel straight razors,…
On some Iwasaki straight razors, next to the trademark ㊂ you might see an “M”.
This would indicate a razor of medium hardness.
Iwasaki straight razors, especially the Tamahagane razors, were hardened to
roughly 800-820 on the Vickers scale, or 64-64,8 Rockwell. This makes them
extremely durable, but harder to hone.
Occasionally they were hardened a little bit less, for example as seen on the
Tamahagane straight razor with SN 1666.5, which was hardened to Hv 790
on the Vickers scale (around 63,6 Rockwell)
According to Mr. Iwasaki, soon after they started making razors a fundamental
social change in Japan led to a large increase in the number of women in barbering.
These women had a lot of trouble honing the larger, harder straight razors, so they started making softer straight razors.
Razors marked “M” were only hardened to 775-795 Vickers, or roughly 63,3-63,9
Rockwell. In addition, these razors tended to have shorter blades then the harder
straight razors, making them even easier to hone.
Sometimes also a “T” is visible on the back of the tang, many say this “T” stands
for Tanifuji (Fukutarō), there are also straight razors to be found were the full name
of Mr. Tanifuji Fukutarō can be seen on the back of the tang. Tanifuji had teached
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, he also finished the straight razors of Iwasaki (see further).
Besides “M” (M, 3M, 6M, 7M, 9M) and “T”, other lettres that can be found:
“G”, “H”(H, 9H), “V”, and possibly more…
“H” would stand for Hard, further examples (“30 H”) will proof this assumption.
“Tokiwa” or “トキワ” is also something that can be seen or straight razors of Iwasaki.
Some say that “Tokiwa” was one of those who finished the straight razors of Iwasaki,
others say that is stands for “Tokiwa Shokai”, which was one of the distributors they
made straight razors for. “Tokiwa Shokai, K.K.” was founded in 1970. The company’s
line of business includes the marketing of semifinished metal products, so maybe it
could be both…
Even the combination “Mr. Tanifuji Fukutarō” and “Tokiwa” can be found, so
maybe “Tanifuji” finished the razors, which were then distributed by “Tokiwa”…
(Ref.: : 22, 25, 26 : 10, 11, 24 )
- トキワ, ㊂岩崎 = Tokiwa Iwasaki
- ㊂トキワ = Iwasaki Tokiwa, 登録商標 = tōroku shōhyō = registered trademark,
谷藤福太郎 = Tanifuji Fukutarō)
- 3M 安吉, ㊂ 岩崎 = Iwasaki (安吉 could mean Aki, Yasuyoshi, Ankitsu, Yasukichi, …)
.
- 7Mトキワ, ㊂ 岩崎 = Tokiwa Iwasaki
- ㊂ Iwasaki
- 30 ㊂ 岩崎 (nothing on back tang)
- 30 ㊂ 岩崎, H
- 30 ㊂ 岩崎, H (2 razors with box)
(Updated, 2018, April)
30番 レーザー (30 Ban Rēzā) N° 30 Razor
型 中型 (chūgata) Type: Medium Size
硬さ Hv 820/822 H (Kata-sa Hv 820/822 H) Hardness: Hv 820/822 H
Since the “H” is situated after the Hv number, and Hv > 800
(Hv 775-795 = Medium Hard), it seems obvious that “H” stands for “Hard”
鋼の分子 秀 (Hagane no bunshi Shū) Molecules of steel: Excellencent
焼入の検査 合格 (Yakiire no kensa Gōkaku) Quenching inspection: Passed - 30 ㊂ 岩崎, 9H
- 30 ㊂ 岩崎, M
- 30 ㊂ 岩崎, V
- 30 ㊂ 岩崎, V (Scale carving: “N.Y. 1963”, likely this razor is made in 1963 or earlier)
- 30 4V, ㊂ 岩崎
- 33 ㊂ 岩崎 (nothing on back tang)
On the box, is written 33, and Hv 785
(Hardened to Hv 785 on the Vickers scale = around 63,4 Rockwell) - 33 1/2 ㊂ 岩崎 (nothing on back tang)
- 38 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki 上島海綿鉄
(Ueshima kaimen tetsu = Ueshima sponge iron?)
(Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki’s initials are on the scales, making it older then 1967)
On the box, is written 38, and Hv 784
(Hardened to Hv 784 on the Vickers scale = around 63,4 Rockwell) - 50 ㊂ 岩崎
On the box, is written 50, and Hv 812
(Hardened to Hv 812 on the Vickers scale = around 64 Rockwell) - 50 1/2 ㊂ 岩崎 (nothing on back tang)
(Updated, 2018, April)
50番 レーザー (50 Ban Rēzā) N° 50 Razor
型 (?) 型 1/2ベタ (Gata (?) gata 1/2 beta) Type: (?) size – 1/2 “Solid” ( = Half Hollow)
硬さ Hv 800 (Kata-sa Hv 800) Hardness: Hv 800
鋼の分子 秀 (Hagane no bunshi Shū) Molecules of steel: Excellencent
焼入の検査 合格 (Yakiire no kensa Gōkaku) Quenching inspection: PassedOn the box, is written 50, and Hv 800
(Hardened to Hv 800 on the Vickers scale = 64 Rockwell) - 51 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, KAMIJO, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- 60 レディ”Lady”, ㊂ 岩崎
On the box, is written 60, and Hv 770
(Hardened to Hv 770 on the Vickers scale = around 62,9 Rockwell) - 70 ㊂ 岩崎 (nothing on back tang)
- 70 ㊂ 岩崎, G
On the box, is written 70, and Hv 770
(Hardened to Hv 770 on the Vickers scale = around 62,9 Rockwell) - 80 ㊂ IWASAKI (nothing on back tang)
- 80 1/4 ㊂ IWASAKI (nothing on back tang)
- 80 ㊂ 岩崎, T
On the box, is written 80, and Hv 810
(Hardened to Hv 810 on the Vickers scale = around 64,4 Rockwell) - 90 Iwasaki Made in Japan, ㊂
- 90 ㊂ 岩崎, H
- 96 Lady (レディ)
On the box, is written 96, and Hv 810
(Hardened to Hv 810 on the Vickers scale = around 64,4 Rockwell) - 101 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, KAMIJO, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- 805 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- 1535 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- 2311 ㊂ 岩崎, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- ㊂ 岩崎, made of Carbon steel (nothing on back tang)
Coincidence or not, the razors with KAMIJO have a “1” at the end of the number (51, 101)
•
A few special ones:
- Iwasaki SKH 房総 (Bōsō)
- 房総 (Bōsō), レディ(“Redi” = Lady)
(Ref.: : 26 )
-
(thank you “ovidiucotiga“ !)
There also exists 房総 (Bōsō) razors, made by Kamijō Yukio
(of which we know he worked with Iwasaki):
FRONT of tang: 房総 (Bōsō)
BACK:上条幸夫作 = Kamijo Yukio saku, made by Kamijo Yukio
→ Also see Bosō 房総
-
(Update, ’17, Sept)
Advertisement:
(Update, ’18, April, thank you so much OvidiuCotiga !)
玉鋼 (たまはがね) レーザー
Tamahagane (Tamahagane) razor
世界で最も優秀な、日本刀剣の原料
である玉鋼を使っています。
刀鍜冶の秘伝と、科学技術の併用に
よって作られた最高級品です。鋼の
分子の顕微鏡検査、微小硬度計によ
る硬さの測定等の厳格な検査に合格
した優秀品です。
I am using Tamahagane which is the raw material of Japanese sword
which is the most excellent in the world. It is the highest grade product made by combining swordsman’s secrets, science and technology. It is an excellent product that passed strict
inspections such as microscopic examination of the steel molecules and hardness measurement
by micro hardness tester.
フルコンケーブ Full concave
1/2 ベタ 1/2 solid
野沢型 Nozawa type
根掘り専用 Basic (?) grind only
玉鋼 (たまはがね) 日本剃刀
Tamahagane (Tamahagane) Japanese razor (Kamisori)
日本の伝統を守る作品です。A traditional Japanese work.
一丁掛 ‘Ichichōgake’ or ‘1-chō-kake’ = small/medium
技術の岩崎が誇る玉鋼 (たまはがね)レーザーの姉妹品
Iwasaki is proud of technology behind Tamahagane (Tamahagane)
razor and its sister items (???):
N°100 フルコンケーブ N° 100 full concave (=Extra Hollow Ground)
N°96 フルコンケーブ N° 96 Full concave (レディ= Lady)
N°90 フルコンケーブ N° 90 full concave
N°80 フルコンケーブ N° 80 full concave
1/4 ベタ 1/4 solid
N°70 フルコンケーブ N° 70 full concave
N°60 フルコンケーブ N° 60 full concave
N°50 フルコンケーブ N° 50 full concave
1/2 ベタ·1/4 ベタ 1/2 solid and 1/4 solid
N°33 フルコンケーブ N° 33 full concave
1/2 ベタ 1/2 solid
スカルプチヤー Sculpture
研ぎの五原則 Five principles of sharpening
1 砥粒は次第にこまかく。
2 圧力は始め強く、徐々に力を抜き、最後はレーザー
や剃刀の重さだけで。
3 レーザーや剃刀の動く距離は段々みじかく。
4 研ぐ時間(回数)は仕上げに近づくにつれて長く。
5 革砥はしずかに。
1 Abrasive grains gradually fade (Stones gets finer in progression)
2 Pressure (on kamisori while honing) starts strong, then gradually less pressure,
finally finishing with only the weight of the razor
3 The distance the razor or kamisori moves is steadily increasing
4 Sharpening time (number of times) becomes longer when being closer to the finish
5 Gentle/light leather stropping.
フルコンケーブ Full concave
1/2 ベタ 1/2 solid
1/4 ベタ 1/4 solid
特殊別誂品、実費にて申し受 けます。
For special customs goods, actual costs will be charged.
Western razors – Straight Razors
‘Who could have made those (Tamahagane) straight razors and when?’
It is very difficult to know who exactly made a particular razor, except in the case
a stamp「玉鋼 ㊂ 重義」”Tamahagane ㊂ Shigeyoshi” is present, in that case it obviously
was made by Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki.
Some sources say that Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki himself didn’t make razors,
others say the opposite… (I’m sure that Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki made razors, see further)
Reading of the text above, the following can be extracted:
During college, or shortly after, Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki started a prototype research of the Western razor,
this in cooperation with a barber.After the war, in 1946 (his son Shigeyoshi was 13y old), Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki established “Sanjō Works“,
which made the world famous Iwasaki Razors right after WWII.
→ Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki had learned the study of the Japanese sword. Eventually he was able to
manufacture the Tamahagane straight razor using the technology of swordsmith. Around 1960,
there is a demand for Japanese razors (kamisori) to be built. The production of a ‘straight razor’
and a kamisori is different. It seems that it was commercialised as a result of cooperating with
Mr. Miyamoto (宮本), Hyogo prefecture, Ono city (兵庫県小野市), who was a specialist of ‘Japanese razor’
(kamisori). Apparently, forged Tamahagane steel by Kōsuke Iwasaki was sent to Mr. Miyamoto for
processing, then it was sent back for quenching, and sent back again for the final finish.
Products around that time didn’t have a ㊂ stamp!
(http://daikudougu.web.fc2.com/toei-iwasakikamisori.html)
So, Iwasaki Kōsuke first began to make a “Western straight razor”,
later on he started to develop a kamisori of his own.
Combining the theoretical study of father Kōsuke, and the practical blacksmith technology mastered by Shigeyoshi,
in 1954 (Shigeyoshi was 21y old) they succeed in the development of the Western razor made of Tamahagane steel.
Because Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki, although he was a sword maker, maybe had little experience as a blacksmith and had send Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki to be an apprentice with several master blacksmiths, one could think that Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki didn’t make
Western type straight razors, though he was active in research and the process of
the production of Tamahagane steel.
Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki approached Master Tanifuji (Fukutarō) to train the Iwasaki
family in razor finishing and scaling. Before this, at Iwasaki’s request, Mr. Kamijō Yukio
moved his equipment to Iwasaki’s forge and taught them all he knew about how to
hand forge and grind razors. He worked together with Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki and finished most of the early Iwasaki razors. So this all would have happened in the beginning of the production of Iwasaki’s Tamahagane Western straight razor,
around 1954. There haven’t been Kamijō razors made after 1965 (昭和40年),
so this would be before 1965. (Kamijō Yukio)
(Update ’18, Sept)
Extracted from “japanshave.blogspot.com” where Jim Rion shares
his conversations with Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki:“There is a story that Iwasaki-san (Shigeyoshi) apparently liked to tell,
that a (straight) razor made by his father was used by a barber 1,032 times
before he had to rehone it–that is, just stropping in between…” (1b)
So, it is clear that Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki made straight razors!
(Together with Kamijo,…)
Previously shown Tamahagane straight razors with SN 213·5, 272·3, 636·2 all
have 岩崎 (Iwasaki) and 上條 (Kamijo) stamps「 岩崎 ·上條」; they are therefore undoubtably early straight razors, not only because they have low serial numbers,
also because Mr. Kamijo was involved.
Now, there are differences to observe between the different “Iwasaki stamps”
on Tamahagane straight razors:
272.3 
409·3 
523·1 
617·6
636·2 
644·8
686·1 
729·5
The “Iwasaki stamp”, seen on Tamahagane straight razors with SR 686·1 & 729·5
belongs to Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, since several razors of which we’re sure were
made by Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki himself all have this kind of “Iwasaki stamp”.
They all are accompanied with the ㊂ mark as well.
More earlier Tamahagane straight razors have different “Iwasaki stamps”…
The “Iwasaki stamp” seen on Tamahagane straight razors with SR 272.3, 409·3, 523·1, 617·6, all have about the same kind of “Iwasaki stamp”. They all have an extra “dot”
stamped at the right of the “Iwasaki stamp”, which seems to be missing on the later
SR 636·2, 686·1 … razors. The “Iwasaki stamp” on SR 636·2 & 644·8 though
seems to be different though then SR 686·1 & 729·5,…
SR 636·2 & 644·8 doesn’t have a ㊂ mark, as well as the ones with SR lower then 636·2…
At the moment, there are 3 types of “Iwasaki stamps” to distinguish:
- SR 272.3, 409·3, 523·1, 617·6, without ㊂ mark
- SR 636·2, 644·8 without ㊂ mark
- SR 686·1 & 729·5 & higher, with ㊂ mark
IMHO,
because of the combination of:
- the presence of both 岩崎 (Iwasaki) and 上條 (Kamijo) stamps「 岩崎 ·上條」,
- the low serial numbers, therefore undoubtably being early
Tamahagane straight razors, - the absence of the ㊂ mark,
- the differences in the “Iwasaki stamp” compared to the known Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki stamp,
the “Iwasaki stamp” on SR 272.3, 409·3, 523·1, 617·6 belongs to Mr. Kōsuke Iwasak!,
he made these Western straight razors, together with Mr. Kamijo.
The “Iwasaki stamp” on Tamahagane straight razors with SR 686·1 & 729·5 and later, belongs to Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, and are accompanied with the ㊂ mark, whilst the
first Tamahagane razors, with a Kamijo & Iwasaki stamp & was made by Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki didn’t have a ㊂ mark.
Remains the “Iwasaki stamp” on Tamahagane straight razor with SR 636·2 & 644·8,
without ㊂ mark, but with上條 (Kamijo) stamp!
Could this be an early “Iwasaki stamp” of Mr. Ryouichi Mizuochi 水落 良市氏,
who had joined the company in 1961…? Or is this an early stamp of
Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki? Or…?
If all this is correct, then possibly the ㊂ mark started to get in use since Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki took over the business, around 1963-1967 (when his father Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki got sick and passed away). This would fit with the fact that Kamijo stopped making razors in 1965! (Kamijō Yukio).
Also, previous made statements give further proof:
When Mr. īdzuka shigefusa 飯塚重房 (who worked at “Sanjō Works” around 1954-1964)
was shown a Tamahagane 岩崎 kamisori without the ㊂ ‘stamp, he stated:
「これは昭和40年前後のものでしょう。」 – “This will be around 1965”!
So, it can be stated that the ㊂ mark was used since
around 1965, at least on kamisori!
These 炭素鋼 “carbon steel” straight razors have a ㊂ mark,
and in Western lettres ‘KAMIJO’:
- 51 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, KAMIJO, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
- 101 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, KAMIJO, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
The younger ones don’t have ‘KAMIJO’ anymore:
- 805 Trade㊂Mark Iwasaki, 炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
Since ‘KAMIJO’ is written here in Western lettres, I wonder if these are from
the end of Kamijo’s career, working with Iwasaki. We know that Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki first worked with Mr. Kamijo before he retired, Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki then worked
with Master Tanifuji (Fukutarō)
This could fit with the theory that it was Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki who began to use
the ㊂ mark…
Since Master Tanifuji retired at the age of 79, around 1973, and Mr. Kōsuke / Shigeyoshi Iwasaki first worked with Mr. Kamijo, the coöperation between Mr. Kōsuke / Shigeyoshi Iwasaki & Mr. Kamijo must have started well before 1973;
Since:
- “Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki approached … Master Tanifuji (Fukutarō), to train the Iwasaki family in razor finishing and scaling…”,
- Mr. Kōsuke Iwasaki passed away in August, 1967,
- Mr. Kamijo worked with Iwasaki before Mr. Tanifuji,
- Mr. Kamijo stopped making razors in 1965,
- → This would mean that razors with both Iwasaki’s & Kamijo’s signatures
must be made ≥1954 – 1965.
The razors with: ‘Trade㊂Mark’ ‘Iwasaki’ ‘KAMIJO’ ‘炭素鋼’ (Carbon steel),
gives me the idea that on Western straight razors the ㊂ mark possibly
was used sooner then 1965. (probably not many years before though)
(Update ’18, June)
33 岩崎 (Shigeyoshi Iwasaki stamp type), 上條 (Kamijō)·炭素鋼 (Carbon steel)
.
This razor would be an early razor, made during the time Shigeyoshi Iwasaki
and Kamijō worked together, but before the ㊂ mark began to be used.
Western razors – Straight Razors
‘Different Tamahagane symbols’
1b 
1c 
The Tamahagane symbol 1b on straight razors, being of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki,
remains the same until serial number “1342·2“. After this, somewhere between
serial number “1342·2” & “1364·7“, although the Iwasaki sign remains the same,
a subtle change is visible in the Tamahagane symbol 1c (look at the 玉):
Strangely enough, the 1b symbol appears back again in the course if time…
Here is a line up (with SN – Serial Number):
213·5, 272·3, 523·1, 617·6, 636·2, 707·7, 729·5, 820·4, 932·4, 981·2,
1059·7, 1105·5, 1236·6, 1337·5, 1342·2, 1364·7, 1365·5, 1374·3, 1395·6, 1398·4, 1410·5,
!
! 
!
! !
! 
1433·1, 1448·2,1465·1,1466·4, 1468·4, 1508·3, 1508·9, 1511·9,1515·3, 1532·9, 1540·9,
!
! !
! 
1547·3, 1575·6, 1604·6, 1604·7, 1607·8, 1614·5, 1658·8, 1666·5, 1676·3,
!
! 
1721·9, 1727·1, 1735·7, 1757·8, 1774·1, 1817·3, 1814·3, 1819·1, 1900·5, 1901·6
!
! 
I have no clue why the 玉 has changed through time though…
So, in the end (if correctly, I’m not sure!) the different signs/marks would be:
Kamijō Yukio 
Kōsuke Iwasaki
Shigeyoshi Iwasaki 
Shigeyoshi Iwasaki(?) (or Ryoichi Mizuochi?)
‘Boxes’
Also the boxes displays different styles of stamps (aside = stamp on razor):
玉鋼 Tamahagane kamisori:
(SN 16·81) 
(岩崎作, made by (Shigeyoshi) Iwasaki)
(重義, Shigeyoshi) 
(岩崎作, made by (Shigeyoshi) Iwasaki)
(刀匠, sword smith 重義, Shigeyoshi)
(重義, Shigeyoshi)
Kamisori (Swedish – carbon steel):
(別打 = betsuuchi / betsuda = specially made/forged)
Kiridashi, made by Shigeyoshi Iwasaki
(with signature of Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki on attached paper):
岩崎 = Iwasaki
重義 = Shigeyoshi
