Hello,
I am Ota Toshikazu, the owner of Kyoto Hasami Shokunin.
I make scissors in the city of Kyoto, Japan.

I opened my shop in 2002, which started out as a hairdressing scissors sharpening business.

Over the course of my career, I had the opportunity to work with many hairstylists, and through them, I learned how the scissors were used by professionals and developed an understanding of what is required of good hairdressing scissors.

As I sharpened scissors for my clients, I occasionally came across amazing scissors that,  in my eyes, embodied the passion of the creators. I noticed that working with such scissors brought joy to my heart, and when I talked to my clients about this, they insisted that I start making my own scissors right away. After many people's warm encouragement, I finally decided to make my original scissors.

When I first began making scissors, I decided to create scissors that were not simply "sharp." I strived to create a fit that is comfortable enough to make you forget it's in your hands. In my opinion, when you cut hair with a comfortable pair of scissors, it creates a sensation similar to watching yourself from above as your hands moved on their own. That sensation is what I imagine as being in a state of flow, which is the concept that inspired the name of my scissors brand, FLOW.

Another thing that I value is what I call "breathing life into the steel". In my eyes, each steel has unique personalities; there are good and honest ones or stubborn and eccentric ones, so I try to keep that in mind when choosing the right steel to create my scissors.

When it's time to send out the completed scissors, I know it's an odd feeling, but I feel very happy and yet a little sad because I know I'll miss them. All I ask of my clients is that they take good care of the scissors.

It would bring me great joy as a sharpener and craftsman if my scissors could be of any help to make hair cutting an enjoyable experience. I believe that a happy hairstylist can also make their customers happy, and a sharp pair of scissors that cuts well and assists with creating a fine hair style plays an important role in supporting a happy hairstylist.

As I write this letter from my workshop located at the foot of Kyoto's mountain, I wish from the bottom of my heart that your journey as a hairstylist is full of happiness and that you are blessed with wonderful scissors.

Sincerely,
Kyoto Hasami Shokunin
Ota Toshikazu

Profile

Ota Toshikazu

1970

Born to parents who ran a sewing business.

2002

Started a community-based, hairdressing scissors specialty shop.
Sharpened a wide variety of scissors and began research for the ultimate scissors.

2004

Built a website. Reached out all over Japan and the hair stylists working worldwide. (Canada, USA, England, France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand etc.)

2005

Started a blog. It feels like the companies in the same profession are watching the blog more than the hair stylists. I present my opinion and policies, sometimes get roasted, fall into an ocean of depression, and repeat the process all over again.

2008

Started the development of my original scissors. Opened another website and started to share information about scissors.

2016

Started a scissors workshop for hair stylists in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Hong Kong.

2020

Major blow from the coronavirus pandemic. I thought about what I could do and decided to improve my online presence.