okatsune

What okatsune does

Okatsune is a Japanese manufacturer of hand-forged gardening and pruning tools, founded in the 1940s in Hiroshima by Tsuneichi Okano, a blacksmith apprentice since 1925. The company produces secateurs, hedge shears, bonsai and Ikebana scissors, thinning and harvest snips, sickles, and loppers, all forged from Izumo Yasugi high-carbon steel — the same steel traditionally used for Katana swords — achieving a Rockwell hardness of 60.0-61.0. Its signature red-and-white handles symbolize 'happiness' in Japanese culture and have made Okatsune the undisputed #1 gardening tool brand in Japan for nearly 70 years.

The company operates a UK distribution arm, Okatsune UK, based in Herefordshire, England, which sells directly to UK and Northern Ireland consumers via a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront at okatsune.co.uk. Products are priced in GBP ranging from £2 accessories to £133 gift sets, with free shipping and a 30-day return policy. The portfolio spans roughly 40+ SKUs organized by use case (secateurs for shrubs and roses, shears for hedges and topiary, bonsai scissors, Ikebana scissors for traditional flower arranging, snips for harvesting and thinning). A co-branded partnership with Silky, a Japanese folding saw manufacturer, allows Okatsune to bundle complementary saws into curated gift sets.

Okatsune UK serves hobbyist gardeners, professional landscapers, bonsai practitioners, and Ikebana artists through a direct-to-consumer model with no third-party retail or marketplace presence. Marketing is conducted via gardening content (seasonal tips, tool care guides), email newsletters, Instagram, and event participation at RHS Flower Shows including Chelsea. The company appears privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, institutional investment, or acquisition activity, and it generates revenue entirely through one-time hardware sales.

Name

okatsune

Legal name

Okatsune

Website

https://okatsune.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Okatsune is a Japanese hand-forged gardening tool manufacturer (founded 1940s, Hiroshima), the #1 brand in Japan for nearly 70 years. Its UK arm sells premium Izumo Yasugi steel secateurs, shears, scissors, and snips direct-to-consumer via Shopify, serving hobbyist and professional gardeners, bonsai, and Ikebana practitioners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Direct sales of premium Japanese gardening tools including secateurs, hedge shears, snips, bonsai scissors, and accessories. One-time purchase model with products ranging from £2 to £133. Revenue generated entirely through e-commerce direct-to-consumer sales in the UK market.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Okatsune manufactures and sells premium Japanese hand-forged gardening and pruning tools, including bypass secateurs, hedge shears, bonsai scissors, Ikebana scissors, thinning and harvest snips, and sickles. All blades are forged from Izumo Yasugi high-carbon steel (the same steel used for Katana swords) and tempered to Rockwell hardness 60.0-61.0, producing razor-sharp, durable cutting tools sold via direct-to-consumer e-commerce through the UK Shopify storefront okatsune.co.uk. The range also encompasses leather holsters, a whetstone, replacement springs, gift sets, gift cards, and branded gardening apparel/accessories.

Product overview

Okatsune is a Japanese gardening tool manufacturer specializing in hand-forged tools made from high-carbon Izumo Yasugi steel, traditionally used for Katana swords. Founded in the 1940s in Hiroshima, Japan, the company produces a comprehensive range of precision cutting tools including bypass secateurs (models 101, 103, 104 for different hand sizes), hedge shears (models 204-231 for various hedge sizes and types), bonsai scissors (models 200-221 for precision bonsai work), Ikebana scissors (models 209-215-S for Japanese flower arranging), thinning and harvest snips (models 207, 301, 304, 306, 307), and the 405 sickle. The product portfolio also includes accessories such as leather holsters (108, 109, 130, 131, 132, 133), the 412 whetstone, gardening tool belt, HPPE gardening gloves, enamel mugs, bamboo keyrings, and reusable gift bags. The company offers curated gift sets combining tools with accessories, including the Small Gift Set, Large Gift Set, Pruning Gift Set, Japanese Pruning Gift Set, and Pocketboy Curve Edition Gift Sets. Additionally, Okatsune offers the Kamaki L81 Lopper as a complementary tool. All Okatsune tools feature exceptional Rockwell hardness of 60.0-61.0, ensuring long-lasting sharpness and clean cuts. The tools are designed for professional and amateur gardeners requiring precision for pruning, topiary, bonsai, and floral arrangements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Okatsune Bypass Secateurs (Models 101, 103, 104) Hand-forged bypass secateurs in three sizes (180mm, 200mm, 210mm) for smaller, standard, and larger hands respectively. Forged from Japanese Izumo Yasugi steel with razor-sharp blades capable of cutting branches up to 25mm diameter. Designed for UK gardeners pruning shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and creepers. Model 103 is the most popular standard-sized option.
• Okatsune Hedge Shears (Models 204, 205, 205-K, 214, 216, 217, 230, 231) Hand-forged hedge and shrub shears with razor-sharp blades (145mm-200mm) and long or short wooden handles (300mm-500mm). Range covers medium and large hedge shears for general hedge trimming, short models for topiary boxwood and Japanese garden o-karikomi, and large models for cutting up to 2.5 meters height. Model 205-K includes an integrated rubber shock absorber. Designed for UK home gardeners and professional landscapers handling hedge trimming, topiary, and pruning in tight spaces.
• Okatsune Bonsai Scissors (Models 200, 201, 203, 206, 221) Traditional Japanese bonsai scissors with pointed thin blades ranging from 52mm to 75mm in length. Includes long-leg scissors for reaching into tree interiors and small models for highly accurate work. Designed for UK bonsai practitioners performing candle pruning, style pruning, maintenance pruning, and accurate forming of bonsai trees; also suitable for topiary of boxwood and pine trees in Japanese gardens.
• Okatsune Ikebana Scissors (Models 209, 213, 215, 215-S) Traditional Japanese Ikebana scissors in Ikenobo and Sogetsu styles with short wide blades strong enough for thick branches yet accurate for tailored work. Ikenobo-style models include a notch for cutting wires. Model 215-S is a stainless steel small model at 167mm. Designed for UK Ikebana practitioners (Sogetsu and Ikenobo schools) engaged in traditional Japanese flower arranging.
• Okatsune Thinning and Harvest Snips (Models 207, 301, 304, 306, 307) Lightweight razor-sharp snips (120g) with thin 2.3-3.3mm pointed or rounded blades (25-45mm). Range covers heavy-duty thinning snips for small branches, floral snips for picking flowers/herbs/deadheading, professional thinning snips with rounded tip for soft stems, and harvest snips with curved blade for vegetables and fruit. Designed for UK gardeners, florists, and fruit/vegetable growers needing delicate precision cutting and harvesting.
• Okatsune 405 Sickle Traditional Japanese sickle with razor-sharp curved 150mm blade (2.0mm thickness) and red wooden handle for visibility in tall grass. Designed for cutting flowers, grass, and weeding in UK gardens.
• Kamaki L81 Lopper Professional lightweight lopper with Teflon-protected high-carbon steel blades and a unique pivot system exerting 9x cutting pressure. Capable of cutting thick branches up to 40mm with little force. Designed for UK professional gardeners requiring additional leverage for thicker pruning work.
• Okatsune 412 Whetstone Compact sharpening whetstone (150mm x 25mm x 9mm, 60g) for regular grinding and sharpening of all Okatsune products. Sold as a maintenance accessory for UK customers owning Okatsune cutting tools.
• Okatsune Leather Tool Holsters (Models 108, 109, 130, 131, 132, 133) High-quality durable leather holsters with belt loops in single and double configurations for secateurs (101, 103, 104) and bonsai scissors (200, 201, 203, 221). Light leather becomes more flexible with use. Designed for safe carrying of Okatsune tools in the garden.
• Okatsune Gardening Tool Belt Dark green tool belt with Okatsune logo featuring three front pockets for storing tools and gardening essentials. Tie strap waist (89cm each tie), machine washable at 60 degrees. Designed for UK gardeners needing to carry multiple tools hands-free.
• Okatsune Gardening Gloves HPPE (High-Performance Polyethylene) gardening gloves providing Level C cut resistance (EN 388:2016) with dotted PVC grip for extra endurance and reinforced thumb crotch. Available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes. Designed for UK gardeners using Okatsune cutting tools.
• Okatsune Gift Card Digital gift card available in £25, £50, or £100 denominations. Valid for 12 months from purchase date, redeemable across the full range of Okatsune gardening and pruning tools. Delivered by email with a unique gift card code.
• Okatsune Gift Sets (Small, Large, Pruning, Japanese Pruning, Pocketboy Curve Editions) Curated gift sets combining Okatsune tools with accessories and partner Silky folding saws. The Small and Large Gift Sets bundle secateurs, whetstone, leather holsters, enamel mugs, and folding saws. The Pruning Gift Set is presented in a Japanese cherry blossom illustrated box with secateurs and a leather holster. The Japanese Pruning Gift Set pairs Okatsune 103 secateurs with a Silky Super Accel 21 folding saw and Silky Gomcase Double holster. Pocketboy Curve Edition sets pair Okatsune holsters with Silky Pocketboy Curve folding saws. Prices range from £105 to £133.
• Okatsune Replacement Springs (Models 421, 422, 423) Replacement springs sized for Okatsune secateurs 101 (Model 421), secateurs 103 and 104 (Model 422), and thinning snips (Model 423). Sold as spare parts to extend tool service life for UK customers.
• Okatsune Enamel Mug Hardwearing enamel mug with 350ml capacity, metal construction, 79 x 88mm dimensions. Dishwasher safe, not suitable for microwave. Marketed for keeping tea, coffee, or soup warm in the garden. Sold as a branded accessory within Okatsune's gift sets and standalone.
• Okatsune Bamboo Keyring Premium keyring crafted from natural bamboo with refined timeless finish. Lightweight yet durable everyday accessory reflecting the craftsmanship of the Okatsune garden tool collection. Sold as a branded merchandise item.
• Okatsune Reusable Gift Bag Eco-friendly canvas gift bag made from durable heavy-duty cotton canvas. Reusable as a garden tool bag, providing a sustainable alternative to disposable gift wrap. Sold as a branded gifting accessory.
• Okatsune Green Unisex T-shirt 100% cotton green unisex t-shirt, short sleeve with crew neck, without side seams in Forest Green color. Comfortable and breathable for gardeners. Sold as a branded apparel accessory on the Okatsune UK storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rockwell hardness 60.0-61.0 ensures cutting edge remains sharp significantly longer than competing brands
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SilkyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilky is a Japanese folding saw manufacturer. Okatsune includes Silky products (Super Accel 21 folding saw and Pocketboy Curve saws) in their gift sets. The partnership allows Okatsune to offer complete pruning solutions alongside their own tools. Silky saws are paired with Okatsune secateurs and holsters in co-branded gift sets.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Felco: Swiss manufacturer of premium bypass secateurs and professional pruning tools. Felco is the most direct competitor to Okatsune in the high-end bypass secateur category, with comparable pricing, similar hand-forged quality positioning, and overlapping target customers in horticulture and viticulture.
• ARS Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of high-quality pruning and cutting tools for horticulture and agriculture. ARS shares Okatsune's Japanese craftsmanship heritage and premium positioning for professional-grade pruning shears and secateurs, competing in the same Japanese-made specialty category.
• Bahco (SNA Europe): Swedish hand tool and saw manufacturer with deep roots in professional pruning and gardening tools. Bahco competes directly with Okatsune in hedge shears, secateurs, and pruning tools across professional and consumer segments.
• Silky: Japanese folding saw manufacturer specializing in high-end pruning and woodworking saws. Silky is both a partner (co-branded gift sets with Okatsune) and a peer sharing Japanese craftsmanship heritage, premium positioning, and overlapping UK/DTC distribution strategies.
• Corona Tools: US-based manufacturer of professional and consumer pruning tools including bypass secateurs, loppers, and hedge shears. Corona competes directly with Okatsune in the professional and serious home gardener segments, with strong distribution in North American garden centres.
• Spear & Jackson: Historic British hand tool and gardening tool manufacturer with strong UK retail presence. Spear & Jackson is a direct regional peer competing across secateurs, shears, and digging tools, with established distribution in B&Q, Homebase, and other UK retailers that Okatsune has chosen not to enter.
• Burgon & Ball: UK-based premium gardening tool manufacturer with strong heritage (1730) and Sheffield steel credentials. Burgon & Ball competes directly with Okatsune in the UK premium gardening segment, with broader UK retail distribution through garden centres and RHS-endorsed positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Fiskars: Finnish global leader in gardening tools with a broad portfolio spanning pruners, shears, loppers, and digging tools. Fiskars is a broad incumbent competing across all price points and channels, dominating mass-market retail where Okatsune is absent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/okatsuneuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about okatsune