The tool kit of Japanese master gardeners is the object of envy. Lucky for amateurs, beautifully crafted, durable, and infinitely useful Japanese garden tools are within easy reach. Here's a collection of our favorites.
Also see our earlier round up of Japanese Garden Scissors.
Above: The word Hori means "to dig" in Japanese. The Stainless Steel Hori Hori Knife is also fantastic for sawing, trimming, cutting, and transplanting in the garden. The two-sided blade has a straight edge for weeding and cultivating, and a serrated edge for cutting roots, dividing plants, and trimming branches. Handcrafted at a 50-year-old workshop in Japan, it comes with a non-leather sheath; $32.95 from Williams-Sonoma Agrarian.
Above: As featured in our recent post Top Tools of our Favorite Gardeners, Tobisho offers handmade pruners of laminated high carbon and stainless steel. Hand forged, the Tobisho Pruners are $118 from Paxton Gate. Image via Fine Tools.
Above: A versatile tool, the Japanese Cuttle Fish Hoe is a strong, solid forged hoe on one side and a heavy duty cultivator on the other; $32.20 at the Garden Tool Company.
Above: A Japanese hand saw, such as the Silky Gomboy 210 Folding Landscaping Saw with hollow-cut teeth and smooth parallel sides, cuts through branches quickly and smoothly; $31.96 through Amazon.
Above: Handcrafted in Japan with a high-carbon steel blade and a pine handle, the Short Handle Nejiri Weeder is coveted for one-handed weeding; $12.95 at Williams Sonoma Agrarian.
Above: The handles and blades of the Japanese Stainless Steel Shovel and Spade are made of sealed stainless steel to prevent water or dirt from getting inside. Measuring 42 inches long, each comes with a fitted cloth cover with Velcro closures; $119.95 apiece at Garrett Wade.
This is an update of a post originally published on June 20, 2012.