Yu Kurosaki

Yu Kurosaki is a modern Japanese smith and a well-known maker of kitchen knives. He was born and grew up in Takefu, Fukui Prefecture, an area known for over seven hundred years of knife and blade making. From an early age Kurosaki was fascinated by the properties of steel and the interplay of fire, hammer and metal, and he chose a path that combines old techniques with new ideas.

Kurosaki trained under the master smith Hiroshi Kato, where he spent more than a decade learning to forge, shape and harden steel. This long apprenticeship gave him a deep understanding of both the technical and the artistic sides of knife making. In 2014 he opened his own forge at Takefu Knife Village, a well-known centre for traditional handmade knives.

Kurosaki's knives combine tradition with modern design. They are known for their hand-hammered surfaces, often inspired by natural phenomena such as wind, thunder and rain. Each knife is made to balance looks, precision and durability. Kurosaki's work has earned him international recognition, and chefs and collectors praise the sharpness, wear resistance and craft of his blades.

Yu Kurosaki is also said to be one of the youngest craftsmen to receive the title of Master Smith (Dento Kogei-shi) from the Japanese government, in recognition of his skill and his contribution to keeping Japan's blade tradition alive. Through his knives Kurosaki combines tradition, new ideas and artistic expression, and keeps the Takefu craft alive today.

Yu Kurosaki makes knives that are both tools and craft objects, carrying the history and discipline of the trade and a well-thought-out design.