A manufacturing process of Tanzo. Iron spark in dusky work place. It is the moment that a craftsman give soul to iron. The success of handling the temperature of Tanzo depends on experience and perception of a craftsman. He cannot leave work at all while he handles Tanzo temperature. Only the sound that a craftsman hits iron powerfully by a mallet sounds through the work place.

He produce a large hunting knife mainly by experience of Tanzo(Hot drop forged) to go across than 20 years.

He uses high carbon steel and makes the knife which blade shapes like a clam.

JKG member / JCKM member / Dentokogeishi -The title which is given to the traditional craftsman whom Japanese government authorized.-

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Takefu-city is known as a producing center of cutlery in Japan.They keep Japanese old traditional technique of hand finish for 700 years. CHIYOZURUKUNIYASU who is famous as a craftsman in sward in KYOTO emigrated to Takefu-city(in Fukui prefecture) for the most suitable place for work in 1337.He had instructed people in Takefu-city in advanced technique of making a sward.Therefore he had worshipped as the founder of craftsman in sward of Takefu-city. His descendants had taken the name of CHIYOZURU, named CHIYOZURUMUNEMITSU, CHIYOZURUKUNIHIDE.

Takefu-sity had become known as a special product place of cutlery in all over Japan from the Edo era mid-term.They had made mainly on Echizen-sickle,but also kitchen knives, hoes and spades these days.From the Edo era final stage to the Meiji era early days,they prospered by support of Fukui prefecture,Lord HONDA,and peddler.That's why Takefu-city became known as a famous producing center of cutlery like Seki(in Gifu prefecture),Sanjo(in Niigata prefecture),Sakai(in Osaka prefecture),Miki(in Hyogo prefecture) and Ono(in Hyogo prefecture).

Recently,Takefu-city received appointment of a traditional industrial art object by the Japanese economic MITI for the first time in this industry.They continue making cutlery using unique traditional technique now.

Mr. Saji is the third generation making a knife in Takefu-city.His ancestors made a hatchet, but he makes an original Japanese-style knife now.His products are loved by a lot of people in the world.

The most important work
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Saji Samurai	�@	Saji Kumaotoshi

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You can see one huge dragon shining with steel at Takefu station.This work of a dragon named SHORYU is made with 2960 pieces of sickles and kitchen knives.It extends to 2.6m long, 1.8m high.