Blacksmith Takeo Murata

Who am I?

My name is Takeo Murata, and my job is to forge handcrafted Japanese knives. Having chosen Murata Buho as my artisan name, I make my high-end knives in Kochi, a Japanese prefecture on the island of Shikoku.

Kochi prefecture is another of Japan's cutlery hotspots, much like the cutlery village of Takefu. Indeed, blacksmiths have been practicing their craft here since the 17th century: the area was already renowned for producing high-quality fishing and farming tools.

At the time, agriculture was booming in Japan, particularly in Kochi. Local blacksmiths created sharp, sturdy blades that made the region famous. A reputation that continues to this day, with the transition to Japanese kitchen knives.

How do you recognize a Japanese knife made in Kochi? Quite simply. The specialty in my prefecture is making blades with a rough forged finish.

Born in 1949, I began my apprenticeship at the age of 16 with my uncle Tokaji, who was himself a great blacksmith in his day.

He taught me all the traditional ancestral techniques that have been passed down through the various members of my family. The art of cutlery in my family goes back many centuries to the making of Katana for the Samurai.

My work

Still in business, I continue to make exceptional handcrafted knives using traditional techniques that I have learned and mastered to perfection.

I am an expert in working with high-end Japanese steels, such as Aogami #1 carbon steel, which requires many years of experience.

To find out whether the steel is at the right temperature to be beaten, I use a 40-watt bulb, as I did when I started out, which enables me to discern the color of the steel. Real know-how!

I also perpetuate the uniqueness of the Kochi region by offering you an artisanal knife that has not been forged. This is evident in the dark, rustic look of the blade.

I've won several awards over the years, a real source of pride in my work and expertise. Today, I'm considered the best craftsman in the area.

Our favorite knife

It's the 16.5cm Murata Aogami 1 handmade Japanese funayuki knife!

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Why this knife? Well, it's got the superb raw forge finish typical of the Kochi region, and its hybrid shape gives it lots of character!

The angle of the tip on this handcrafted Japanese knife is steeper than on other knives. You'd think the tip was broken, but it's not, and that's what makes it so charming!

You can find all my handcrafted knives here!