Introduction to the Japanese Gardening Tools: 5 to 9
In the previous issue, we introduced four traditional Japanese gardening tools.
This time, as a continuation of that article, we will introduce five more.
5. Hedge Shears
Hedge shears are standard Japanese gardening tools.
They look a lot like giant scissors with their long pair of straight blades to be used by two hands. They are designed to cut as much of a plant as possible in one single sweep. Hedge shears with longer handles are less tiring to use for longer hours.
They are used for trimming and for shaping hedges and shrubs into round or square shapes.
They are not suitable for cutting thick branches.
6. Pruning Shears
Pruning shears are another standard Japanese gardening tools.
Pruning shears, also known as hand pruners or secateurs, are designed to cut hard branches of trees and shrubs. It is known that it can cut up to 2 centimeters thick.
Pruning not only improves the overall appearance of the garden by shaping each individual tree, but also improves air circulation and suppresses the occurrence of pests. In addition, cutting old branches and growing young ones will rejuvenate the tree, allowing it to produce more flowers and fruits.
Japanese pruning shears are known to have sharp and strong blades.
7. Loppers
Long two-handled loppers are good for cutting ticker branches than pruning shears can cut. They have better reach than hand pruners and are handy for reaching the interior of a shrub or small tree.
8. Bonsai Scissors
Bonsai scissors or flower shears can be used for detailed work on smaller branches and for removing new growth on pines (candling).
They are known as "kibasami “ (wood shears) in Japan. They are characterized by a unique shape with large handles where you put your fingers. The large handles are designed to prevent other branches from being pinched and damaged when cutting.
The wide handles on these scissors make it easy to grab, comfortable to hold, and allow delicate and accurate cuts.
This tool can be used to cut thin branches with a diameter of 10mm or less. For branches less than 5mm, the tip of the blade is to be used, and for branches thicker than 5mm, the base of the blade is to be used and rotate the shears towards you to cut.
As the name suggests, this tool is great to be used for maintaining shaping bonsai and flower arrangements.
9. Folding saws
Folding saws are useful to remove branches that are too thick for loopers.
Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke, rather than the push stroke, which puts the blade under less pressure and makes it safer to use.
Most of them have tri-cut blades, which cut easier and faster than typical blades do.
Modern Japanese gardening tools are the result of the country’s long history of farming and sword forging. Its quality in sharpness and durability is well regarded among gardeners in the world.
