Tosa Uchi-hamono Knife Forging Workshop

Tosa (the old name for present-day Kochi Prefecture) is known as one of the leading cutlery production centers in Japan and Kochi hammer-forged blades (Tosa Uchi-hamono) are a designated national traditional craft. Using traditional forging techniques that have been handed down through the generations over 400 years, the knife makers of Kochi create the finest blades from steel and iron. As Kochi’s craftsmen generally handle the entire process –– forging, quench hardening, edging and finishing –– they are able to tailor their creations perfectly to how they will be used. Carefully balancing the thickness of the back of each knife with its sharp cutting edge, they create knives that are light in the hand and a delight to use in the kitchen.

Sakoda Hamono is a Tosa Uchi-hamono forge in Susaki City run by a father and son team. Here, they offer visitors the opportunity to create their own kitchen knife; a blade, which embodies Japanese tradition and craftsmaship, made by your own hand that will bring back memories of your time in Kochi every time you use it.

Visitors work on all-purpose kitchen knives perfect for daily cooking tasks. Your blade will be of high-quality using traditional forging techniques. During the approximately 6-hour (excluding a 1-hour lunch break) workshop, you can experience all stages of the process under the guidance of Tosa Uchi-hamono craftsmen. Finally, during the sharpening process, you will be shown how to resharpen and take care of your knife to ensure that it will bring you pleasure for years to come.