Okurimono Japan
Ukiyo-e style illustration: in a simple kitchen, one person in kimono holds a long knife box tied with a red ribbon and solemnly offers a single coin on an open palm, while the giver looks at it, deadpan.
Illustration: Okurimono Japan

Gift Truths No.17

Gave a friend a knife. They handed me a coin. Some superstitions are older than the friendship.

In some places, a knife given as a gift is said to cut the friendship, so the recipient pays a coin to make it a purchase. The knife still makes a very good gift.

Where this came from

The article behind it.

Buying guideSep 13, 2026

Santoku or Gyuto as a Gift? How to Choose for a Home Cook

Giving a Japanese knife to someone who cooks, for a housewarming, a birthday or no reason at all? How to choose between a santoku and a gyuto by their kitchen, their board and the knife they already use, plus three Japanese knives from Hocho Knife with the shop's own specifications.

The gift

The ones I’d actually send.