higonokami pocket knife

A higonokami (肥 後 守) is a type of folding pocket knife originally from Miki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan in 1896. The knife does not have a locking system, but has a simple folder or "penny knife" closure, using the friction of the twist or the pressure of the user's thumb on its iconic lever or chikiri, to prevent the knife from bending during use. The handle of the Higonokami is made of a bent sheet of metal. The handle is stamped with the name of the knife manufacturer. Higonokami refers to the "Lord of Fig". Higo was a former province of Japan, on the island of Kyūshū, today Kumamoto Prefecture. "Kami", literally "protector", was used as an honorable title for the samurai of very high rank granted to them by the shogun.