Essential Kitchen Knives
Recently, the days have been getting a little longer, and the soft sunset makes my heart feel at ease. Today, we received the Santoku knife and Petty knife (Tomoe blade) from Yuji Totani, a traditional craftsman from Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, which we had previously requested.
As soon as I stood in the kitchen, where the faint evening light still lingered, and started preparing dinner a little early, time seemed to flow slowly, and I felt a sudden urge to return to my childhood.
Mr. Totani values a "minimalist and quiet appearance that blends into modern life," "the lightness unique to Echizen Uchihamono," and "ease of use that accompanies any dish."
The design, handled by Kairi Eguchi, is simple and fits comfortably in the hand, and the pleasantness of cutting any ingredient smoothly makes one feel a desire for it to be a long-lasting essential knife.
There is also a re-sharpening service, providing peace of mind for continued use.
It is such an exquisite item that you can't help but murmur, "Please take care of me from now on," with a beautiful, uncluttered knife in hand.
"Sharpener" Yuji Totani
Mr. Totani is a "sharpener" who continuously produces blades, handling the sharpening and re-sharpening of various blades, including double-edged knives.
He inherited the family business that was familiar to him since birth, established "Sharpening four," and In 2023, he launched his own brand, "癶 (HATSU)," imbued with his aspirations.
For Mr. Totani, blades and knives are a means to connect with people all over the world, to work with colleagues, and He says they give him possibilities and dreams for manufacturing in local communities and production areas.
Knives are not just tools, but a gift imbued with Mr. Totani's aspirations, creating connections with like-minded people, developing production areas, and generating new value for the future.
I believe that Mr. Totani's stance of being involved in manufacturing alongside us users, his mastery of knives, and his continuous commitment to his surroundings without compromise, are what allow him to constantly create essential products.
癶 (HATSU)
The radical "癶" (hatsugashira), which "HATSU" takes as its motif,
It is said to embody the meaning of "standing with both feet together when starting something."
The moment a user picks up the knife, the story of "cooking" begins.
Mr. Totani's new challenge to make the traditional craft of Echizen Uchihamono known to more people also begins.
This knife, bearing the name "癶" (Hatsu) and embodying various "beginnings," is perfect for celebrating friends or moving to a new place, It makes you want to pick it up as a gift for any new beginning.
Takefu Knife Village
Production takes place at Takefu Knife Village in Takefu, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture.
The origin of Echizen Uchihamono, rooted in this town, dates back about 700 years.
It is said to have begun when Chiyo-tsuru Kuniyasu, a sword maker from Kyoto, visited Echizen in search of water to forge famous swords, forged sickles for farmers, and passed on his techniques to local blacksmiths.
During the period of rapid economic growth, demand for handmade blades plummeted, and the production area faced a crisis of decline.
However, 10 young craftsmen rose to the challenge of preserving tradition and fostering successors, establishing the "Takefu Knife Village" brand in 1982 with designer Kazuo Kawasaki.
Kazuo Kawasaki is one of the few Japanese known for his design work with Apple Inc.
He later achieved success overseas and contributed to the revival of the production area.
In 1992, with a total construction cost of 300 million yen and each individual shouldering 30 million yen in debt, the Takefu Knife Village Joint Workshop and Cooperative was established.
At this new base of operations, the nurturing of the next generation began with the premise of independence, and now, there is a history of passing on to the next masters.
When I actually used this knife, which is a fusion of the passion and inquisitive spirit cultivated by the craftsmen here, the traditional techniques meticulously applied even to the interior during its formation,
And the aesthetic eye of the designer, my perception of knives changed a little.
Octagonal Santoku Knife combining Rust Resistance, Sharpness, and Toughness
The "Wa-Santoku knife" combines the best features of both Japanese and Western knives. The blade is "double-edged," making it versatile for any ingredient, and its Western knife-specific shape is easy to use not only for right-handed people like myself but also for left-handed individuals. Furthermore, the handle incorporates the shape of a Japanese knife, characterized by the lightness and soft texture unique to wood. The good balance between the weight of the blade and the handle makes it comfortable to use for long periods without tiring your hands.
Although steel is considered suitable for "blades," its difficult handling and tendency to rust are drawbacks. Therefore, by adopting a three-layer steel structure including stainless steel, it achieves rust resistance, sharpness, and toughness, resulting in high cost performance.
It boasts excellent sharpness that can thinly slice any ingredient, such as ripe, soft tomatoes or hard apples.
Furthermore, it allows for smooth separation when shredding cabbage, preserving the original texture of ingredients and allowing you to enjoy the freshness of vegetables as they are.
Stable and nimble Tomoe Blade
The "Tomoe blade" is a mini knife that combines the best features of a small Santoku knife and a petty knife.
Meaning "something that possesses two characteristics equally," it incorporates the agility of a petty knife based on the solid sharpness of a small Santoku knife.
The blade, which narrows towards the tip, allows for stable cutting of large ingredients and is capable of decorative cuts and peeling, making it a hybrid of a small Santoku and a petty knife.
Though lightweight and compact, typical of Echizen Uchihamono, it allows for easy application of force and is convenient for various situations with just one knife.
When actually peeling oranges or kiwis, it fits stably in the hand even when gripping firmly or placing a finger at the base of the blade,
It can be handled freely and smoothly, allowing for thin peeling and stress-free use.
In addition to peeling, it is also useful in many situations for cutting small ingredients such as cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
Enhance Your Dining Experience with a Quality Knife
At this time of year, when cold and warmth intertwine, I want to enjoy the changes in my life that I feel as the seasons revolve.
For example, on days when you feel like, "Today, I'll try a slightly more authentic dish!" Using the Hatsu knife prevents excess moisture and flavor from escaping from the cut surface of ingredients, maintaining their taste and texture in a better condition, I feel that the finished dish and the satisfaction of eating it are greatly enhanced. Of course, I use it for daily cooking, but when I see a magnificent fish and want to gut it, or encounter an unfamiliar vegetable, Even though cooking might seem difficult, it's also a little exciting.
Why not try new recipes through Hatsu knives, create menus that highlight seasonal ingredients, and
Incorporate unprecedented novelty into your life?
