Echizen manufacturing production area tour around the traditional craft production area of Echizen cutlery

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This tour takes you through two workshops: Yamaken Woodworks, which specializes in making handles that are rare even in Japan, and Ryusen Knife, which produces beautiful knives with unique ripple patterns. The way you view knives will surely change as you experience the different perspectives and pr...

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Craft Invitation

This is Fukui, a place of "creation". Fukui is a place where you can see, hear, and experience the craftsmanship of a production area that has maintained traditional techniques while also adapting to the changing times. We hope that through encountering the people and objects directly at manufacturing sites, the process of manufacturing become more personal for travelers.

The first place we head to is etoe, a store specializing in Japanese knives. This shop is run by a married couple, Takuya Yamamoto, the fourth generation owner of Yamaken Woodworks, and Yuma Yamamoto, a lacquer maker. During the tour, either the husband or his wife (one of them) will guide you directly.

There are a wide variety of handles available, including handles that make use of wood grain, cute and elegant handles painted with maki-e art, and handles with a beautiful lacquer coating. It will be an irreplaceable time to be able to talk with the craftsmen while looking at the products that shine with their craftsmanship.

After learning about the products, we will take a tour of the manufacturing process at the actual workshop. We will carefully teach you each of the many processes and each of the machines lined up in a row. When you think of a knife, you think of the blade, but this tour also allows you to learn more about the handle.

Next we headed to Ryusen Knife Workshop. This is the workplace of craftsmen who produce extremely sharp blades. Each knife is handcrafted by a craftsman. Take a close look at the precious handiwork of our craftsmen, which you cannot see just by looking at the store.

After that, we will visit the shop. While looking at the beautiful knives lined up in the showcase, we will hear about the history of Echizen Uchihamono and Ryusen Hamono and the manufacturing method of Uchihamono.

At the Ryusen Hamono shop, you can also test out their knives. Experience the invisible and sophisticated craftsmanship as the knife cuts through smoothly.

This concludes the tour of Echizen Uchihamono. Get to know the craftsmen who make them, feel their passion, learn the story behind the scenes, and become a fan. This tour allows you to select products with a more informed approach than usual. If you wish, you can purchase knives from each workshop on the spot.

Please come and have a special experience where you can learn about manufacturing directly from the craftsmen.

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Written by

Craft Invitation

Fukui

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