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YOSHIMUNE KNIVES

Teramachi-dori Street, also known as Teramachi Kyogoku Shotengai, runs approximately 550 meters north-south through the center of Kyoto, between Sanjo-dori Street and Shijo-dori Street, and is always busy with tourists. In the basement of the building that stands on the corner of Teramachi-dori Street and Nishikikoji-dori Street is YOSHIMUNE KNIVES, which specializes in Tosa Kuro-Uchi kitchen knives.

The production of Japanese knives is typically associated with Seki City in Gifu Prefecture, Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, and Tsubame-Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture. However, even few Japanese know that Kochi Prefecture (formerly known as Tosa) is also a leading producer of knives.

Kochi is one of four prefectures on the island of Shikoku and faces Japan’s Pacific coast. It has a history of knife production built on the blacksmithing techniques used to make Japanese swords, which stretches back over 400 years. Today, the region produces high-carbon knives and is home to many blacksmiths. Kochi also supplies forged knives to Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture.

To make a forged knife, steel is heated in a furnace then shaped by hammering. Due to oxidation, this results in a knife with a blackened surface. Tosa Kuro-Uchi kitchen knives are not polished and retain this blackened surface, giving the finished knife a highly-distinctive rugged, handcrafted appearance.

YOSHIMUNE KNIVES stocks over 400 kitchen knives, from high-carbon Kuro-Uchi knives to stainless steel blades. The owner speaks fluent English thanks to his international business experience, allowing him to help English-speaking customers find the perfect knife for their needs.

When the owner learned that Kochi’s cutlery industry might disappear in a few years due to aging blacksmiths and a lack of successors, he decided to open a factory-direct Tosa cutlery store. His goals are to promote advanced forging techniques and traditional Tosa cutlery at home and abroad, as well as to support a new generation of craftsmen. The store sells directly from the factory without any intermediaries, allowing it to offer affordable prices.

The store attracts many customers from overseas thanks to its top-quality knives and friendly, attentive service. It has a 5-star rating on Google Reviews (August 2024.)


YOSHIMUNE KNIVES offers visitors to Kyoto knives of exceptional sharpness made by Tosa artisan blacksmiths. (Mention this Japan Brand Collection article to receive a free knife guard.)

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Details

YOSHIMUNE KNIVES

Address
B1F, 537-1 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, KYOTO

Telephone Number
+81-50-7110-7575

Official site
https://en.yoshimuneknives.com

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/yoshimune.hamono/

facebook
https://www.facebook.com/yoshimune.hamono/

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@yoshimuneknives

Opening Hours: 12:00-19:00

Closed: Non-scheduled holiday