Sanjo Industry

  Nail extractors used in Japan are typically a "Dantsuki Kajiya" (Shoulder Kajiya). But in Sanjo, they are known as simply "kajiya". Kajiya nail-extractors are said to have been introduced to Sanjo around 1918-1920. And before then, nail extractors in Tokyo were simply known as "Edokko" (Tokyoite). Even before that time from the region of Nagoya, nail extractors were simply called "kuginuki" (Nail extractor).

  The city of Sanjo is well known for its production of traditional Japanese nails, but such nail extractors were never used. In fact, large pliers called "Enma kuginuki" were used to extract nails from lumber. Nail extractors as illustrated were introduced to Japan when western nails (cylindrical) became popular. And at this time, such nail extractors started to be called "kajiya"

  Henceforth, you can say that a Sanjo merchant returned to Sanjo from Tokyo with a "Edokko" in hand and had the local blacksmith forge it, which in result was the beginnig of "kajiya nail extractors" in Sanjo. Subsequently, with some Sanjo ingenuity, Sanjo original "kajiya"s were born and soon in large numbers, Sanjo nail extractors were shipped to regions out in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.