Japanese Cutlery Firm Kai Championing the Humble Nail Clipper

Nail trimming advisor Yamada Kimihisa holds discusses how to properly cut nails. (© Nippon.com)

A line of Kai nail clippers in the ¥500-range available at convenience stores and other retailers. (© Nippon.com)

Kai’s flagship Seki Magoroku series of nail clippers. (© Nippon.com)

Kai nail clipper meister Asami Meiko. (© Kai)

The showroom at Kai’s Tokyo headquarters displays the company’s range of products. (© Nippon.com)

How to Cut Nails

Trimming Ingrown Nails

A worker at Kai adjusts the blades of a nail clipper. (© Kai)

Parents and children often attend Kai’s nail-trimming seminars. (© Nippon.com)

Kai’s lineup includes lever-type clippers, snippers, and more. (© Nippon.com)

Kai has a range of products geared toward people who suffer from ingrown nails. (© Nippon.com)

Kai’s Indian-made Tsumekiri nail clipper. (© Nippon.com)

The Tsumekiri nail clippers come in a variety of vibrant colors and prominently feature the brand name. (© Nippon.com)

The Oyana factory of Kai Industries in Seki. (© Nippon.com)

A demonstration of sword forging at the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum. (© Nippon.com)