Promotion Sale

Promotion Sale

Yoshimi Kato

main Yoshimi Kato

kato-1128x273.jpg

Yoshimi Kato, one of the most promising blacksmiths, received the certification of the traditional craftsmen on February 2008 and took over his father's company as KATO UCHI HAMONO (KATO Knife Manufacturing Inc.) in 2018.
His father started kitchen knife production in 1928 and founded his company KANEHIRO UCHI HAMONO at Takefu city, Fukui in 1958. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays in 1987. 

"Echizen" is the historical area in Fukui prefecture, including Takefu city, as one of Japanese important knife capitals.
The kitchen knives made in the Echizen is called Echizen Uchi Hamono. The art of making Japanese kitchen knives has a history of about 700 years.
Echizen Uchi Hamono is designated as "Traditional Crafts" by the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry.

Yoshimi Kato Featured Styles

Yoshimi Kato Selections

  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chefs Gyuto Knife 210mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    CHF329.01
    CHF293.44
  • Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Kengata-Gyuto Knife 210mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Kengata-Gyuto Knife 210mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF337.90
    CHF296.67
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF292.63
    CHF258.68
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF266.76
    CHF233.62
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chefs Petty KnifeUtility 120mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 120mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    CHF219.07
    CHF195.62
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chefs Petty KnifeUtility 150mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 150mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    CHF228.77
    CHF204.52
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chefs Santoku Knife 175mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 175mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    CHF288.59
    CHF257.87
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8R Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8R Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle

    CHF336.29
    CHF307.99
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi AC Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi AC Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    CHF541.62
    CHF509.28
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chefs NakiriVegetable 165mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    CHF308.80
    CHF275.66
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chefs Bunka Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    CHF271.61
    CHF248.98
  • Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 150mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 150mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF248.98
    CHF218.26
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi AC Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi AC Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    CHF551.32
    CHF517.37
  • Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi RS8 Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Rosewood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi RS8 Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Rosewood Handle

    CHF484.22
    CHF452.70
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chefs Gyuto Knife 210mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    CHF284.55
    CHF258.68
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF384.79
    CHF347.60
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chefs NakiriVegetable 180mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus PW Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 180mm with Laminated Wood Handle

    CHF308.80
    CHF275.66
  • Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Kurouchi V-Hammered OL8N Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Olive Handle [Red Turquoise Ring]

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Kurouchi V-Hammered Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Olive Handle [Red Turquoise Ring]

    CHF801.92
    CHF750.19
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8R Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8R Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle

    CHF284.55
    CHF258.68
  • Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 120mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 120mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF247.36
    CHF218.26
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8 Japanese Chefs Gyuto Knife 210mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8 Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Handle

    CHF349.22
    CHF320.12
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi AC Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi AC Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    CHF468.86
    CHF437.34
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8 Japanese Chefs Bunka Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8 Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Handle

    CHF284.55
    CHF260.30
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    Yoshimi Kato R2 MINAMO Hammered OK8B Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle Dark Brown

    CHF408.23
    CHF368.62
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chefs Petty KnifeUtility 120mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 120mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    CHF196.43
    CHF178.65
  • Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi RS8 Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Rosewood Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Kurouchi RS8 Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Octagonal Rosewood Handle

    CHF557.79
    CHF525.45
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chefs Santoku Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Black-Ring Round Handle

    CHF231.19
    CHF210.18
  • Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8R Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato 63 Layer VG10 Black Damascus RS8R Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle

    CHF295.87
    CHF269.19
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Nashiji AC Japanese Chefs Bunka Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Nashiji AC Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    CHF534.34
    CHF501.20
  • On Sale
    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Nashiji AC Japanese Chefs Santoku Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Clad Nashiji AC Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Black Cherry Octagonal Handle

    CHF485.03
    CHF452.70


Yoshimi Kato—The Unconventional Third-Generation Heir to a Prestigious Echizen Blade-Making Family

Yoshimi Kato is the third-generation successor to the renowned blacksmith shop “Kato Forged Knives Workshop” in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture (formerly Takefu). With an unconventional background in the construction industry, he joined the Kato family and embarked on the path of blacksmithing. He completed the apprenticeship—which typically takes over 15 years—in just about five years and took over his predecessor’s workshop. He is a rising star who has been certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Echizen Forged Knives.Having honed his skills at Takefu Knife Village alongside master craftsmen such as Yu Kurosaki, he captivates chefs and collectors worldwide with his exceptional heat treatment and beautiful blade patterns, exemplified by Damascus and hammered (tsuchime) finishes.

Blacksmith Yoshimi Kato
Workshop Kato Uchi Hamono (formerly Kintaro) – Third-generation master
Location Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture (formerly Takefu)—a center for Echizen forged cutlery with a history of approximately 700 years. Member of the Takefu Knife Village Cooperative
Master Father-in-law, Hiroshi Kato—a master craftsman and founding member of Takefu Knife Village. He honed his skills in an environment surrounded by renowned craftsmen such as Yu Kurosaki
Title Master of Traditional Crafts (Certified)
Areas of Expertise Exceptional heat treatment / Creation of beautiful blade patterns such as Damascus and hammered grain. Masterful handling of Aogami Super, R2 (SG2), and VG10
Representative Works 63-layer VG10 Black Damascus, Aogami Super Kurouchi (Black Hammered), and the R2 “MINAMO (Water Surface)” and “HYO (Biao)” hammered finish series. Also responsible for crafting the Masakage brand


Three Reasons Why Chefs and Collectors Worldwide Seek Out Yoshimi Kato’s Knives

1. An Unconventional Career: “He Succeeded His Master in Just 5 Years”—A Miracle Born of Talent and Curiosity

He made the transition from the construction industry to the world of blacksmithing. A rare talent, he completed an apprenticeship—which typically takes over 15 years—in just about five years and took over the workshop of his father-in-law, a master craftsman. His story—of how he leveraged his knowledge of metals and insatiable thirst for learning to quickly master exceptional forging techniques and aesthetic sensibilities—is a narrative in itself, one that lives within every knife he creates.

2. A Prestigious Echizen Forged Cutlery Family × Takefu Knife Village—An Environment Where He Learned from the Greatest Master

Based in Echizen City—the birthplace of Echizen forged blades, a tradition boasting a history of approximately 700 years—he studied under his father-in-law, Hiroshi Kato, a founding member of Takefu Knife Village. He honed his skills in an environment where world-class master craftsmen, including Yu Kurosaki, gathered. A knife refined in this place where traditional techniques and modern sensibilities intersect carries the very history of the region on its back.

3. The Art of Heat Treatment × Diverse Steels and Designs—No Compromises on Sharpness or Appearance

He has earned a reputation for his precise heat treatment, which brings out the best in a wide range of steels—including Aogami Super, R2 (SG2), and VG10—by selecting the appropriate steel for each application. The knives also feature expressive finishes such as Kuro-uchi, Nashiji, Black Damascus, and hammered patterns (V-shaped, angular, water surface, and ice), adding to their appeal. They achieve a high-level balance between practicality in professional kitchens and the beauty that brings joy to the owner.

!