Ai Bocho
Indigo Bocho

Indigo dyeing has been an indispensable part of Japanese life since ancient times, believed to have antibacterial and deodorizing effects.

The "Ai Bocho" is a knife that incorporates this indigo dyeing technique.
It was created by combining Sakai knives, a tradition of Osaka, and indigo dyeing, deeply rooted in the history of Tokushima.

In ancient Japan, indigo was used in various daily situations.
　People wore indigo-dyed clothes for farm work.
　Wounds were disinfected with indigo liquid.
　When they caught a cold, they drank herbal tea made from boiled indigo.

The Ai Bocho applies the "antibacterial," "deodorizing," and "insect-repelling" properties attributed to indigo to knives.

The indigo-dyed gradation, reminiscent of Japan Blue,
is not merely for visual appeal,
but serves the functional purpose of keeping the knife hygienic.

And the blade is a Sakai knife from Osaka, boasting 600 years of history.
A knife craftsman from a long-established company, who has been making knives for professional chefs and cooking schools,
is in charge of the Ai Bocho blades.

The most popular is the "New Ai Bocho Series," which features a Damascus pattern with a hammered finish.

Since being featured on the TV show "Hirunandesu" and in "Mono Magazine," production couldn't keep up with demand, and now there's a two-year waiting list for new arrivals.

The "Ai Bocho," born from the fusion of different regions and different craftsmanship,
aims to be a new milestone in Japanese manufacturing.

It is also a project that aims to bring benefits to multiple production areas with a single product,
and to revitalize traditional Japanese techniques.

We hope you can experience the new handiwork through this collaboration of craftsmanship.

Senko Ai Tenmoku

Senko Ai Tenmoku
Senko Ai Tenmoku

This premium series was created for enthusiastic Western fans of Japanese knives, following our expansion into six overseas countries. It was completed after five years of prototyping and much trial and error.

The theme is "further evolution of the collaboration between knives and indigo dyeing." The blades were crafted by Yu Kurosaki from Fukui Prefecture, a world-renowned Japanese craftsman.

A unique visual, overwhelming sharpness, and delicate, intricate craftsmanship.

It employs the blade from Kurosaki-san's representative work, the "Senko Series."

The handle and sheath are lavishly embellished with the pottery technique of tenmoku and the urushi lacquer technique of kanshitsu, applied to indigo dyeing.

The textured surface is made of indigo in spherical form. Over this, a waterproof coating compliant with food hygiene laws is applied. This elaborate craftsmanship not only provides visual appeal but also ergonomic functionality.

The sheath was completely redesigned from scratch to express the worldview of this series.

Its mountain-shaped protrusion clearly reveals the tenmoku indigo's shading.

Furthermore, a new attempt was made to tie the sheath's pin to the main body with a string to prevent loss.

It has been favorably received by overseas Japanese knife fans, and at one point, production couldn't keep up, causing prices to soar to 200,000 yen per knife.

In 2024, over 500 units were sold, generating a market of 100 million yen in one year, successfully delivering Japanese craftsmanship to the world.

The "Senko Ai Tenmoku Series" is thoroughly imbued with craftsmanship.

Please enjoy the unique presence created by Kurosaki-san's "Senko" and the "Tenmoku" of indigo dyeing.

* Domestically, it is mainly sold at Seisuke Hamono (Kappabashi, Tokyo).

We occasionally sell a limited number of pieces each year.

If you find one in stock, please order it quickly.