{"product_id":"genkai-masakuni-shotaro-nomura-collaboration-art-work","title":"Genkai Masakuni \/ Shotaro Nomura Collaboration Art Work, 330mm Yanagiba, Mizu-Honyaki, White #2 (Shirogami #2) Steel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGENKAI MASAKUNI\u003c\/em\u003e (Yoneo Muko): Blacksmith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSHOTARO NOMURA\u003c\/em\u003e: Shaper\/ Sharpener\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese knives are directly from the workshops of these legendary Japanese knife artisans. True museum\/historical pieces of authentic Japanese knife history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemarkably rare masterpieces have been completed - 330mm Honyaki (本焼) Yanagiba knives forged from the remaining stock steel of Genkai Masakuni (Yoneo Muko), the pioneer who perfected modern Mizu-Honyaki (水本焼: water-quenching) knife making method. Genkai Masakuni (Yoneo Muko), a legendary bladesmith deeply revered for his uncompromising artistry and for elevating Mizu-Honyaki to its contemporary form, passed away on September 25th 2025 at the age of 85…\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRenowned for his exceptionally pure steelwork and his mastery of traditional water-quenching, he is remembered as a craftsman whose influence shaped an entire generation of Japanese Mizu-Honyaki knife makers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThese exceptional blades were finished and given their edges in Sakai, Osaka — the birthplace of traditional Japanese cutlery — by Shotaro Nomura, an 86-year-old master sharpener, one of the last remaining artisans preserving the old-world methods of Sakai, and my personal mentor in Japanese knife sharpening. \u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eOver the years, he has generously shared with me a wealth of knowledge — not only sharpening techniques, but also the history and traditions of Sakai knives, practical wisdom, and countless insights gained through a lifetime of craftsmanship. To this day, he remains my greatest mentor in the world of Sakai knives and one of the craftsmen I respect most deeply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver a lifetime spanning seven decades, Shotaro Nomura has become known for his precise blade geometry, flawless kasumi work, and his unparalleled ability to reveal the true character of Honyaki steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a craftsman of such standing to personally inscribe his full name and title — “Certified Traditional Craftsman Shotaro Nomura” — onto these exceptional Honyaki blades by Genkai Masakuni adds another important chapter to their provenance, making these two knives truly exceptional pieces of Sakai knife-making history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis inscription brings together the names and craftsmanship of two remarkable artisans of Sakai in a single blade — Genkai Masakuni, who forged the Honyaki blades, and Shotaro Nomura, who completed and sharpened them — giving these knives a provenance that can never be reproduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2 Knives Left\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YAMANI SHODOSHIMA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46571489525946,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/6750\/4826\/files\/7744B2F8-C44A-438A-914B-FF7D770B9280.jpg?v=1788754718","url":"https:\/\/yamani-shodoshima.com\/products\/genkai-masakuni-shotaro-nomura-collaboration-art-work","provider":"YAMANI SHODOSHIMA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}