A Japan Times reader in Saitama wrote asking for a link to the kiribi sets for sale on Amazon Japan, explaining that a hiuchigama and hiuchi ishi combo would make a great Christmas gift for his pyromaniac five-year old daughter. I’ve selected two sets that look like they’ll do the trick.
This product, in the toys section, got a good review for durability and fun from another Amazon buyer. It has a steel, two different stones, a bag of tinder and some kindling sticks. Click on the underlined Japanese below to go directly to the product page on Amazon Japan.
This product, in the kitchen and housewares section (!), also looks good, and is from a company I checked out when doing my article on kiribi in The Japan Times. Click on the underlined Japanese below to go directly to the product page on Amazon Japan.
Readers outside of Japan: please note that these sellers won’t ship internationally.
I don’t recommend a much cheaper set (850 yen) with the magatama (comma-shaped) hiuchigama because that shape isn’t authentic, and I’ve read reviews saying it’s hard to use. The seller says on its website that you have to wear the black paint ofｆ it before it works. I don’t think a little girl has that much patience. Spring for the more expensive set.
Alice Gordenker アリス・ゴーデンカー 