ABOUT ANRYU HAMONO

Anryu Hamono is a small workshop in Echizen, Japan that was started by Hansaburo Anryu in 1873. It has been passed down through generations, with Katsushige Anryu, the 4th generation knife maker, working as blacksmith for over 50 years. After apprenticing under his father, Katsushige-san became highly respected for his traditional knife forging techniques and was elected chairman of the Takefu Knife Village Co-op, an association for Echizen's top knife makers. Carrying on Anryu Hamono’s artisanal legacy, he has recently passed the workshop on to his 5th generation apprentice and nephew, Takumi Ikeda.