Why Bonsai Scissors Can Cost $26,000 | Still Standing | Insider Business
Hirakawa Yasuhiro is a master blacksmith for Sasuke in Sakai, Japan, who forges scissors with techniques that were used to make swords, knives, and weapons. Japanese-style gardeners like Yoshikawa Masakazu are willing to wait a year to get their hands on a pair of scissors that’s perfect for maintaining bonsai trees.
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Why Bonsai Scissors Can Cost $26,000 | Still Standing | Insider Business
Anything Japan: "It takes years just to learn how to carry the firewood and coal in to start the fire"
Lmaoooo there's a certain way to carry the coals n wood that's why lol
That's true haha
in pretty sure its also a cultural thing, bit feel free to coreect me
@@God-ch8lq Its a joke/trope about the japan videos. Everything always seems to take years to "master" even mundane tasks like chopping vegetables.
@@gaveintothedarkness aight
The real skill is convincing someone to pay $26,000 for a pair of scissors.
People pay millions for drawings that look like scribbles to me. I am sure some wealthy person will see value in the scissors.
I would have to say it's reasonable that due to the limited amount of scissors that he can make each scissor goes to the highest bidder on auction and those people are willing to pay $26,000 for that pair
People are buying jpegs for millions now.
@@yoyoyoufs still requires good marketing
@@kittenmimi5326 Absolutely. This video has already ignited the flame by introducing the scissors to 1.1+ million people.
A lineage spanning 26 generations, a direct family tradition of 155 years. Now that is impressive. Full respect to him
26 generations is like 10 million years lol!
Check out the book,"Paekche's Principle:The Great Secret of Asia"
@@rizdalegend about 750
It’s pretty common for these lineage businesses to adopt trainees to keep it going under one name. Especially common in ryokan businesses
@@FuriosHobbitGaming well depends on how long each generation lives.
The fact that he doesn't force his children to take over the business even though it could end shows how humble he is, his business should never end
but girls hope useless business like this would end though
@@jake9854 ?? why plus it's not even useless
It’s humble not forcing your children into a life they don’t want? Okay.
@@jake9854 they don't know anything, they don't see themselves using it so they deem it useless while it isn't
@@jake9854 Who really seeks the input of females?
The level of culture and tradition in Japan is stunning
same in India but it getting modern very very fast
@@physics77guy lmao
How many subs can I get from this comment? Current:1.45k
right lol
They have the worst culture and traditions is Japan, its the hard work, discipline and dedication to perfect one's craft that makes it better.
The stunning attention to detail in Japan has always amazed me. It hurt to hear him say that he may only be able to go on making these for another 10 years and that he doesn't have enough time left to make all the orders. It was pretty heartbreaking to hear that.
@@christyturner4643 No u
@@christyturner4643it’s supposed to lack depth on purpose, it’s a phrase people easily spam under serious things
@@christyturner4643 occasionally a disagree, more often than not just a troll response
@@christyturner4643 im sorry to tell you but anime is not real life
@@christyturner4643 how would that work, will we be reincarnated as tapeworms
My grandfather brought a pair of handmade all purpose scissors from Japan ~50 years ago for my grandmother to use in the kitchen, those scissors are now in my mother's kitchen and are used almost daily and still cut like new.
A blacksmith's job is to make something beautiful that can last lifetimes.
There's a blacksmith in Norway who makes a traditional auger tool and he's going strong in his 90s. This guy could very well keep going for more than 10 more years.
Especially with a number of Japanese elders known for being able to live beyond 100+ years
May it be so.
You saw that video too?
Is there a video of him?
As a professional plant trimmer, we use Japanese scissors in the 'herb clip' industry now called Chikamasa. Made in Japan.
They are the best 👌
@@everythingallin4905 💯 so far, from what I have seen... many operations I go to have them there in dozens for any worker to grab
wow and theyre only $25,950 cheaper than a pair of this guys egregiously overpriced scissors
@@dertythegrower Most companies of course just use machinery to produce as many scissors as fast and cheaply as possible. Or at best, make them just good enough to have happy customers while making them as cheap and efficient as possible within that constraint. I am however quite certain that when one tries to make the perfect scissor with all modern technology and machines, they will be far superior than what this guy makes. And they would prob ably still be cheaper. (although i imagine one could go quite a long way in perfecting the even heating of your metal, x-raying it for imperfections etc, 26k is really a lot of money...)
Keep in mind it's just the pair of scissors that took 3 years worth $26,000 the rest are not. Also if a pair of scissors takes him 1 year of solo manual labour to make. Majority of the cost is coming from labor and his skilled craftsmanship. Of course machinery will always be cheaper, but what company is willing to make special scissors with that much care put into the craft and product for you? Also there's a London shop that makes scissors by have as well but they are more automated, even their scissors are starting at $150 and go up from there. They take 2 to 6 weeks.
The dedication these Japanese master craftsmen have to their craft is beyond amazing
It's also amazing how people seriously believe the camera crew spent an entire month in Japan filming this guy making a pair of scissors.
Holy crap his great-great-grandfather had AMAZING foresight to focus on scissors just ONE YEAR before the beginning of the Meiji Era. The sword ban didn't happen until 1876, but he probably saw something on the horizon.
That's how you stay in business. His great relation had his eyes open and ears to thr ground.
"People might not kill each other anymore, or at least they would use guns instead, but Bonsais can only be trim with scissors isn't it?" ---The Great-great-grandfather (probably)
Craftsmanship at its best.
not worth 26k at all. Just japanese bullshit
Precision is key
Overrated
I don't deny that but the prices seems like a Scam !!
Very pleasing to see any type of craftsmanship with this level of care and dedication
It's pretty inspiring to see how passion is not something that "just happens".... No no, not at all... passion is cultivated... and it's infectious... I mean, I never thought about scissor making before this video and it's got me fired up
Well thats more like "intrigued", in the next months you might even forget this video exists. True passion usually you discover by yourself and stays for a long time or even a lifetime
@@doublebeefstew Assuming
@@doublebeefstew Mate you assume way too much i am now a blacksmith trying to establish my own workshop thanks to one video i saw four years ago that inspired a great passion for this art. This video could possible well be this one.
@@fujin657 huh thats why i said "might" and "usually", no? If it happens otherwise then good for him, good for you too!
More or less sounds like you are currently on a journey of exploration to fill a void in your self.
It's sad to hear that such an amazing historical craftsmanship may end with him.
thats beacuse its extreanly inefficient to make scissor this way aand lets be real this bonsai scissor does not perform any better then a 10 dollar one.
@@patthonsirilim5739 You have obviously never handled Japanese steel. I am a Chef and also a wood worker. I have no desire to use any other steel than Japanese because of it's quality and craftsmanship.
@@patthonsirilim5739 Its the most efficient way
@@patthonsirilim5739 as a blacksmith myself i can tell you forged items are made to last your 10 dollar ones are made to break to get you to spend more and attention to minute details that you dont get with mass manufactured makes all the difference
@@fujin657 on. Yes. His $10 ones are made to break. So they can last, what? A month? Couple weeks? Let’s say they last 1 week. Ok? So at $26,000, he could buy new ones every single week for the next 46 years, and never spend a single second or dollar sharpening them. Or worrying they will break. But sure. Sure. Always better to get the $26,000 ones; because they last a life time. Because as we all know, any hobby you choose, you will always do for life. And you can pass it down to your kids, because they will also do our hobby for life.
I found a wonderful pair of bonsai scissors on Amazon for 16.99. Highly rated.
There's literally a hipster for every single thing in the world it seems. Really cool process.
I love this man and how he values life what needs to be preserved is him not just his talent
@@christyturner4643 I do not like preaching.
The Japanese I came to know in Yokosuka took their interest very seriously. They found joy in the process and through this process they have honor. It’s the process that makes one a master.
Anyone wanna talk about how he is using his bare hands? What a chad.
massive respect to this guy. extremely respectful and beautiful life he's led.
If you’re striving for excellence, there will always be a market for whatever you are making. Don’t give up and never stop improving.
Good to see sasuke relaxing after all the great shinobi wars he’s been thru 😌
I would work and keep this mans businesses going for free. The craftsmanship and wisdom he has is incredible
a true craftsman.they dont make old timers like this anymore.this man is a treasure and you could only be so lucky to own a pair of his scissors
The most amazing thing about the people in this/ other videos is that they are doing something they love and are making a living from it... I'm extremely envious of that.
Dam hes one of a kind especially since he says he sleeps and wakes up thinking 💭 what he can do for improvement…. That’s passion and just life long dedication to honor his people before him. Sir your people will be proud to see how long you carried their legacy. Mad respect 🫡 again.
This gift to humans must never be lost. When we lose foundation abilities we lose basic survival skills.
That's why he's a master craftsman he keeps learning and willing to learn I would love to go and study under him
love episodes like this
Yeah I wonder why...
I will never stop to be amazed of how Japanese create cutting edge technology! 😍
It’s a scissor wdym😂
"cutting edge" nice one lol
I see what you did there 😂
>Why Bonsai Scissors Can Cost $26,000 Because people are prone to auto-suggestion and love all sorts of "luxury" things (especially when they are made by hand and in small batches).
you are right
considering how primitive those scissors are there is no way they are worth even 1/10 since you could get a knife with top tier craftsmanship for that
It's psychological sales strategy. They figure if you can spend time with Bonsai, you can spend 26,000 dollars on a handtool.
with these level craftsmanship on this handtool, it's way better than thousands of dollar on some scribble art or food who just add caviar or strip of gold on it. these scissors will last your whole life.
I love these videos. I admire the dedication to the craft. This man seems so sweet.
Loved this one, glad you guys made this in addition to Great Big Story covering it! This man deserves it
I don’t care how many years of dedication it takes to master the craft. No pair of scissors is worth 25,000 dollars. That’s stupid.
buy one and hedge inflation
Casually improving his craft 22 generations later is the most astounding part of this
Beautiful. Its a true pleasure to see this level of skill and artistry in action.
guess you didnt pay any attention to detail. otherwise, look at the shitty workmanship at 10:19! doesnt even close properly. highest level of perfection my ass
Fascinating, I love it. This is what I'd like to see on Terrestrial TV at 8pm, rather than the bollocks that is on here in the UK at that time
"Made like a samurai sword".... except nothing about the construction of a katana that is specific to or made famous by katanas, will have any function in a pair of scissors.
Dont use brain use heart 🥰 You are overthinking
A bit late but the blades are made just as katanas. Research a bit before commenting something stupid
I guess they are referring to it's sharpness, the only characteristic that would make sense in this case
I knew this would be ridiculus. "To make bonsai scissors, first you need to know how to make samurai swords"
The blacksmith and the gardener put a lot of emphasis on becoming one with their tools. One can only achieve such mastery after years of training and repetition. Those are very beautiful scissors.
The woman's voice is so calming 😌
This is so satisfying to watch! KZhead teaches me what I didn’t know I needed to learn about. I’m always curious so it’s a great thing!
Big respect to the craftsman of Sakai, Japan.
If I pay 26k for some scissors they better be made from gold , platinum and have diamonds on the handles
I mean gold is way too soft a metal to make scissors off of.
At the same time I think this is amazing craftsmanship I'm happy that we have machines that can do the same for a fraction of the time and price and everyone can have scissors at home.
I have no clue how to do any of this but if I were to meet this man I would let him know that I would love for him to teach me everything. Even if it means changing my life completely to move out there.
Respect to this man for his determination to keep the handmade bonsai scissors tradition going!
It's like every important item in Japanese Culture. It's done to the highest level of perfection possible, made to last and has a quality and beauty unmatched worldwide! I have high respect for and I am in awe of the quality of craftsmanship!
Seems crazy to 26k for scissors but I can't deny the quality is incredibly impressive.
guess you didnt pay any attention to detail. otherwise, look at the shitty workmanship at 10:19! doesnt even close properly. highest level of perfection my ass
He says that he always listens to his clients’ opinion on how to improve the quality. He cannot be more right to do that. Plato said that it is the user of anything that knows better. Great philosophy. Thank you very much for sharing.
Amazing work. Much respect.
I have a set of bonsai tools and they are the best tools i have ever used. Outstandingly great craftsmanship.
I bet your entire set costs under 50$ and performs as good as this 26.000$ masterpiece
@AfaroX8 nah bro, i paid 2.5k for it. They are handmade in japan. You can get a set for 50 euros, but these tools i have are excellent quality and very beautifully decorated with leave gold.
Sir❤️Content getting better every vid, love watching .This is certified rich classic । Lv the way u represent this vdo । Love your videos
How could you Not want to learn something like this!?! It's techniques like this that are invaluable in life..
he is the goat in this still takes notes from users wow
Such wonderful designs and craftsmanship!
It's so nice to see someone being acknowledged for their dedication to creating functional works of art by hand!
guess you didnt pay any attention to detail. otherwise, look at the shitty workmanship at 10:19!
Absolutely amazing .. craftsmanship
Appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication.
Anything Japan: it takes decades just to learn the techniques required to polish the shoes of the masters' apprentices.
Please do check out the book,"Paekche's Principle:The Great Secret of Asia"
All the work that is put in and yet no one to take over the work the way he does
Such a great video im so glad for his time!
I'd love to learn from a master like this, i love working with mu hands making stuff, we need as humans to learn more stuff like this
"They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seen such discipline." - "The Last Samurai" (2003)
There's a whole country of people who aren't like that and they live in Japan.
Check out the book,"Paekche's Principle:The Great Secret of Asia"
I have a pair of these....the sound makes me smile
I would gladly become an apprentice 🤌⚖😇
I hope others continue his craft with his passion
I was so happy when the voice said "orders cape piling up" this art is beautiful
It's heartwarming to think of these people with such passion for a specific craft, and how their crafts fit together and they revere one another's expertise. To me that is humanity at its best.
I made a pair of these same style in two hours this evening. Get this man a belt grinder, he already has a power hammer. I forge welded a piece of 1084 for blades to A36 for handles. Finished product almost identical.
the difference is that you can't sell yours
@@Khunark This is very true, it takes an extreme amount of BS to get that type of money, and idiots who buy into it.
Japan never ceases to impress me.
Respect for the Man! 👍👍👍
Love watching people work the metal into either art or a tool, but feel a little sad that stuff like this is going away due to time or better/quicker methods being made. Or lose of other trades involve in it's making. Anyway, I hope we can keep these trades going for as long as possible.
that’s the sad effect of industrialization
There's also the fact that no one in their right mind would buy such expensive scissors
@@kharris56 It's not sad. There's nothing better about the scissors from any technical perspective. Its a beautiful craft, but the idea that anybody on earth can get a pair of better scissors than these for a few dollars isn't "sad".
@@bobbystem7384 true true
@@bobbystem7384 not true. There are many benefits that metalwork crafted by a master craftsman has that industrialized processes lack, most notably edge retention. Theres a reason japanese hand crafted knives are so expensive but considered essential for master chefs. Its just not feasible to mass produce scissors of this quality.
With as precise as machines and automation are getting it wouldn't take much to replicate this process.
You might think so, but it's not going to happen. Machines can't perform techniques that fold steel and sharpen blades like an artisan. At the end of the day, even the best machinery is assembled from a human engineer and machinist, but those machines can't fine tune irregular shaped parts.
@@anon_148 I've used plenty of cheap machine made products like knives and scissors in my life time. I got to use a sharp blade at an expo once and I can tell you there's a world of difference. A machine knife can cut a tomato but juices will come out. A good knife will cut the same thing, no juices and the slices are razor thin.
wow, now that's a truly master blacksmith
Mastering a craft and taking it to the peek of it's abilities is a very honorable task. Well done.😀😁😄
"I am 71, I can go for another 10 years..."
You know what else is forges using Sword-Making Techniques? Everything. Literally every single metal item uses the same techniques.
Japanese are perfect in everything It takes 350 years for a person to learn how to boil water so that he can cook rice and sell it for $90000 and customers have to wait for 500 years to get one bowl of it
This man gives a damn about his work, this is amazing.
My mother had an old pair that looked like these. The handles were wrapped in rattan. Always useless for gardening. But seeing these I’m guessing they came from a Japanese gardener my great grandmother knew. Boy If I had them now they’d be worth a lot.
Narrator: But it wasn't always easy to find new customers Maybe it has something to do with less people raising bonsai trees and I don't know... *THE PRICE* ?
After watching, i wish I can go and learn this beautiful craft, like that it will not disappear with this respectable craft master.
The best quality and craftsmanship is worth the wait and price 'last a lifetime'
He reminds me of Jiro in Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The Japanese commitment to their art is astounding.
Check out the book,"Paekche's Principle:The Great Secret of Asia"
@@opioo.4998 what's it about?
I really loved watching this video. Actually I even thought to ask him to teach me. I would not mind learning for the next ten years and developing mastery….. I might actually do it! Awesome inspirational video for artists!
There is no might. Not on anything on earth. Either you do or you don't! We used to say what we were gonna do and do it.
@@everythingallin4905 I like your enthusiasm and extreme 🔥I do agree, this is why I did not say “I will do it” because I am still not sure. I guess having an 8 year old son and still not speaking japanese is a deterrent 😄 What I referred to “might” was about writing to him. I am on the search for my real passion and there is no “might” there, I am 100% sure I am finding it and mastering it. For the japanese, for now, remains a “might” 🙂
@Gordy I think that too! How can such a Master be without students?? I am pretty sure after this video he will be overwhelmed with emails…
@Gordy Depends on if your describing a section of your mind or your life.
respect the hustle
Love his work.
As long as there are people silly enough to pay those prices, they'll still be making those scissors.
I would go there and learn his techniques if he would be willing to teach me I'm sure plenty of people would be honored to have him as a teacher
His techniques are extremely outdated, you’d be better with a metal working apprenticeship Looking at fire colour to determine temperature is just experience He still uses a hammer and anvil rather than a hydraulic press, and files by hand rather than machine. Both produce far more variable results His forge is also pretty terrible He is very skilled with the methods he uses, but he could produce far more with the same quality by modernising slightly
@chris smith The novelty of his work is that he does them in the traditional way. People who want to have him as a teacher probably don’t want to learn from a modern metal worker
those scissors sound nice. i got a poor quality pair but i still love it for the design and functionality. i'm jelly for the scissors in the video
A truly, remarkable man.
I am a woodworker and I am somewhat obsessed by my craft much in the same way this gentleman seems to be and I can absolutely relate to what he expressed so beautifully. Always try to learn more, always strive to be better, never make the same thing twice. Cheers.
Chikamasa clippers made in Japan... best right now in the plant industry (speaking from experience)
🙏
Please check out the book,"Paekche's Principle:The Great Secret of Asia"
Massive respect to the Mater! Hopeful he and his older son together will develop their family legacy for a longer time!
He really loves his work
I admire Japanese craftsmen beyond anyone else. This master is an artist.
Check out the book,"Paekche's Principle:The Great Secret of Asia"
he seems kinda bad at his job....
There's a difference between an artist and a toolmaker. Lots of these types of videos don't discuss that differentiation when showing dying "crafts." This guy is self-admittedly an artist. You're not finding new apprentices because the same skills required to become a master blacksmith or metal worker can easily get you a six figure salary (in US dollars) in all kinds of industry. Selling art is very different from selling long lasting, practical tools. People pay a lot for the prestige you feel using a tool from a famous person, despite its actual practicality.
i agree to some extent but i think theres some more depth to people buying tools like this, as opposed to just prestige and knowing it comes from fame. i think the history of the craft and the cultural significance, as well as the level of effort and care poured into it, is also a very important factor.
Willing buyer willing seller, no one is forced to buy his 26k scissors, they want to buy it. People trim bonsai plants just fine with normal scissors.
@@livor4 I understand mentality for art work. It's all about prestige for both sides. Artists is about the struggle through their work or thought process; for their own appreciation, or getting people to appreciate their struggle. Buyers want to be prideful that they have the money, and/or thoughtfulness to have obtain such a luxurious item. You don't feel quite as special buying something equivalent in practical quality that others can easily buy. (It's just interesting to me how people define "hand-crafted" or "traditional." It's OK to use an electrical drill press and modern harden tool files, but not modern furnaces and other tools to expedite his "hardship?") I'm a engineer/tradesmen, and when tradition and marketing requires people to forget/ignore "work smarter, not harder" mentality, it annoys me.
In this day of age, it should be common sense that the only true difference between any 2 blade-type tools is their shape. In the end they all need the same love, attention, and top forging techniques to be the best at what they do. May this man find a worthy successor.
Thank you for your videos... It's fun... And thank you to the old Japanese man who pioneered the old and original