Craftsperson · Tosa, Kochi
Kyohei
The story
Kyohei-san, a smith from Tosa in his early thirties, draws inspiration from the Takefu knife factory in Echizen. He wants to get the younger generation interested in knife forging.
He specialises in Aogami #2 steel and keeps his prices low to build his name. Despite the low price, his knives are well regarded for their quality. They have a kurouchi finish that gives them a robust, traditional look, and the blades taper nicely, which shows both strength and craft.
Kyohei-san's work on his craft and his effort to bring in new enthusiasts make him a name to watch among smiths. His work shows his skill and his commitment to keeping knife forging alive.
The region
Tosa, Kōchi
Tosa, in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, has a tradition of blade and knife making that goes back several hundred years. The region first became known for swords, and has gradually become known for knives valued for sharpness, balance and wear resistance. The craftspeople in Tosa carry on traditional forging techniques whilst adapting...