YU KUROSAKI

Takefu is one of the most famous centres of Japanese knife-making. Look for it on the map under the name Echizen in Fukui Prefecture on the main island of Honshu. This centre has become famous for its traditional uchihamono blacksmithing. And as the Japanese place great emphasis on tradition, it is no surprise that the Takefu Knife Village association was founded here. It features a museum, a shop and, most importantly, blacksmith’s workshops. Working there are the giants of contemporary blacksmithing, such as Anryu-san, Kato-san, Ikeda-san and others. Their knives find their way into the hands of only a few lucky individuals, but their other mission is to train the next generation of blacksmiths. 

Kurosaki is a prominent surname in Takefu. The younger of the two brothers, Yu, is a talented blacksmith. He trained under Master Hiroshi Kato and has been running his own workshop since 2014. His undeniable talent is evidenced by the fact that he is the youngest blacksmith to have been awarded the Master Nokaji title by the Takefu Knife Village Association. Yu Kurosaki also works as a teacher for this association. His older brother, Makoto, decided to follow the path of a knife sharpener. After all, determining the angles of the blades and subsequently creating a fine edge is a real challenge. The workshop of these two brothers produces the most sought-after knives, as evidenced by delivery times measured in years.

Yo Kurosaki pays attention not only to the quality of his products, but also to their high aesthetic value. His blades are characterised by their original textures. The popular Tsuchime texture, in his interpretation, transforms from coarse hammer marks into delicate indentations (Shizuku) reminiscent of raindrops, or tiny diamond-shaped rhombuses. To ensure his works of art are truly comprehensive, he selects the finest materials in the form of exceptional steels such as HAP40, SPG2, VG XEOS and Aogami Super... 

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