Exclusive to the SOJA HOUCHO Edition
A limited-edition knife sharpened by a professional Japanese sword polisher.
A knife that’s closer in spirit to a Japanese sword.
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Japanese sword polishers, known as togishi, are master craftsmen responsible for the final touches of a sword. Even a blade forged with the smith’s full devotion has, at that stage, an indistinct form: the cross-section is unclear, the dark steel and white edge are not yet separated, and neither the hamon nor any luster can be seen.
Through the polisher’s masterful work, the body (ji), edge (ha), spine (mune), and tip (kissaki) are each refined in turn. As the process unfolds, the contrast between body and edge sharpens, the surface grain and hamon emerge beautifully, and the blade’s luster increases. In this way, the Japanese sword—regarded as the pinnacle of functional beauty—is born.
YASUI TAKAYUKI
At the age of 35, he returned to his hometown to live near his father, himself a sword polisher. This was the beginning of his path. He trained under his father as his master, while also learning much from fellow craftsmen. In 2009, he began his journey as a togishi in the world of sword polishing, where trust is the only true proof of skill.
Here, he shared his thoughts and the dedication that lie behind his work.
TOMIOKA YOSHIMASA
After graduating from Tokyo Zokei University, Tomioka Yoshimasa initially worked as a web designer. In 2014, driven by the desire to ‘create something tangible with my own hands,’ he entered the world of swordsmithing—a field he had long admired. Applying his design experience to the craft, he has gone on to earn numerous awards. We asked this unconventional craftsman what thoughts he carries when standing at the forge.
This is his story.
