Yu Kurosaki Senko Ei Ai Tenmoku Bunka 170mm w/ saya

Young blacksmith Yu Kurosaki got his start working for Kaneshiro Uchi - Hamono and later on for Masakage producing their Shimo and first run Zero lines. Kurosaki-san's attention to detail and perfection has led him to become one of the premier young blacksmiths in Takefu, Echizen and also Japan.

We love his work and will continue to showcase his talents to the best of our abilities.

Here we have some truly unique knives from Master Kurosaki.

The unique hammer design is a characteristic of Kurosaki's work and that is no different to the series being produced this time, the Senko 閃光  (flash) series.

This series has a beautiful sparkle of quadrangular pyramid-shaped hammer marks. The ultimate sharpness is achieved by sharpening Super Gold Heiss Steel, which is the finest stainless steel, to the utmost limit. Senko 閃光 is a series that expresses the sharpness of the light as a spark-like light.

The finish of the hammer also has the functionality of making it difficult for food to stick to the blade when used to cut. The excitement of cutting ingredients with this knife for the first time will be an unforgettable memory.

There are many factors that make up sharpness, but simply put, steel and blacksmithing are important. This kitchen knife uses a steel material called Super Gold High Speed Stainless Steel (commonly known as R2 / SG2). This metal is originally used for drills, and it is a metal that has the sharpness and durability necessary to make holes in hard objects at high speed rotation, so you can imagine the level of sharpness this blade has. 

However, no matter how good the material is, if the skills of the blacksmith aren’t exceptional, it will be difficult to bring out the very best of that material. Mr. Kurosaki has been making many kitchen knives using R2 / SG2 as the main steel material for a long time. With his experience and achievements, he is able to maximize his abilities.

The handle and sheath are made by dyeing natural magnolia wood with indigo dyeing, which has been traditionally used in Japan. It is a unique and special pattern that is not found anywhere else in the world.

The real ability of indigo is called, "JAPAN BLUE"

The reason for using indigo dyeing is not for visual purposes, but for enhancing hygiene. Indigo has been said to have antibacterial and deodorant properties since ancient times. Farmers wear indigo-dyed clothes that have insect repellent properties, drink indigo tea as a medicinal herb, eat it  with leaves, and apply it to the skin. In the era of the samurai, it was preferred as a lucky colour, and in the Meiji era, British scientist Atkinson, who came to Japan from overseas, is said to have described the town as "Japan Blue". At that time, indigo was a symbol of Japan for people who had travelled abroad.

The indigo dyeing of patterns and pods is handled by the craftsman group "Maikoubou" in Tokushima Prefecture, which has a 60% share of the indigo production in Japan.