Muneishi Tosa

Muneishi Hamono Seisakusho 宗石刃物製作所（Muneishi Edge-Tool Factory）is a blacksmith in Tosa-Yamada, Kochi prefecture. Since its founding in 1955, they have been committed to the traditional forging method of Tosa Uchihamono, and have been making blades that do not compromise and prioritize customer use. 2nd generation Muneishi Hirotaka and 3rd generation Muneishi Kousuke are the main producers of various blades now.  


Muneishi Tosa

About Muneishi

What is Muneishi?

Muneishi Hirotaka was certified as a “traditional craftsman” (certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry) in Tosa in 2012. He started helping blacksmiths around the fourth grade of elementary school and took over from his predecessor at the age of 18.  “You can’t learn the technique by making just one sword. Our generation made an incredible number of swords,” Hirotaka says. 

Mr. Muneishi is one of the few craftsmen who can make sickles, kitchen knives, hatchets, and handle sickles, inheriting the tradition of “野鍛冶 (utility blacksmith)” who can make anything. He started with hatchets and then increased the variety with sickles and kitchen knives.

He describes the philosophy of a blacksmith. “It’s not just about heating the metal material. You have to imagine where to hit it in your head and do it. You can’t think too much. The finish is very different between those who can do it instantly and those who can’t.” “I only make knives that are sharp and can be sharpened well. Even if I make them using the same process, I can never make the same thing twice. Each one is unique, just like the 100 people who make them. That’s the beauty of handcrafted blades. I believe that the person who uses them can naturally tell which craftsman is good.”

Links

Muneishi Hamono Factory, Tosa Uchihamono Shop

Tosa Hamono Muneishi YouTube Video

Muneishi Hamono, Kochi City Website

Muneishi Hamono, Kochi Prefecture Website

Muneishi's Kurouchi Santoku and Nakiri YouTube Video