Echizen Uchihamono was the first knife in the country to be designated as a national traditional craft. Its roots can be seen in Chiyozuru Kuniyasu, a swordsmith during the Nanbokucho period.
In 1993, in the production area of Takefu (present-day Takefu, Echizen City), with the fate of the industry on the verge of decline, a large workshop was built for cooperative members to use together. We chose a path of coexistence and mutual prosperity by eliminating barriers between craftsmen and companies. We taught each other techniques and worked hard together, from young players to veterans, and from an early age we set our sights on overseas.
We work with unique craftsmen who are both talented and popular, such as Takeshi Saji, who respects tradition but has an up-and-coming spirit, and is said to be the leading expert in Japanese-style knives, and Masaru Kurosaki, a young blacksmith who is attracting attention around the world. We have produced many students.
Echizen cutlery is characterized not only by its high quality such as sharpness, but also by its overall high design, such as the laminated pattern called Damascus pattern, the hammer pattern, and the material and shape of the handle. In other words, it is a fusion of practicality and artistry.
It is the most vibrant production area in the cutlery industry, with young people from all over the country who aspire to become blacksmiths flocking here.