Tosa Uchi-hamono knives

Tosa Uchi-hamono knives are created in the eastern and central parts of Kochi Prefecture, especially in Tosayamada-cho in Kami City, the birthplace of these blades. They are a vaunted traditional craft product from Kochi with over 400 years of history. The forestry industry has flourished in Kochi Prefecture for many years, and people made blades to fell trees on the mountains; the forging techniques for these blades were created with influences from sword-making techniques handed down from the Kamakura period (1185–1333). The greatest characteristic of Tosa Uchi-hamono knives is their “free forging”—each product is forged and shaped by the hands of skilled craftspeople in accordance with its purpose, enabling knives to be made according to the user’s request, whatever form that may take. A great variety of blades are possible, from those for farming and forestry to those for home use, including kitchen knives, general knives, sickles, Japanese hatchets (nata), axes, and hoes. Tosa Uchi-hamono, created using high-level skills, are exceptionally sharp, strong, and long-lasting. Thanks to their excellent ease of use, they are becoming more and more popular across Japan. Why not visit Kochi to find a blade just for you? Tosa Uchi-hamono, created with techniques that have been handed down, are one of Japan’s Nationally Designated Traditional Craft Products.