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Katsumoto 太古の刀 Taikō no Tō, Kiritsuke Santoku 190 mm (universal knife)
Katsumoto Taikō no Tō — A Knife as a Meeting Point of Civilizations
Over the course of four centuries, Japan, China, and the Netherlands became uniquely connected through maritime trade networks that exchanged not only goods, but also knowledge, techniques, and value systems. What began in the early 17th century with the establishment of the Dutch VOC trading post on Deshima (also called Dejima)—the artificial island in Nagasaki Bay—grew into an exceptional bridge between East and West. At a time when Japan largely closed itself off from foreign influences, it was the Dutch who retained sole access to the Empire of the Rising Sun. Through them, the Chinese world also reached European shores—through intermediaries, objects, and ideas. One of the most important VOC trading posts on the Chinese coast was Canton (Guangzhou): a trading post from 1749 to 1803, with tea and porcelain as important products. Katsumoto Taikō no Tō knives are crafted in Yangjiang, China, just a few hours from the ancient trading centers of Canton.
Trade between these three worlds was never purely economic. It involved a profound interplay of craft traditions, aesthetics, and cultural beliefs. Chinese porcelain and lacquerware, Japanese steelwork and woodworking, Dutch knowledge of shipbuilding, cartography, and medical science: all these elements circulated between the coasts of Asia and Europe. In the slipstream of merchandise flowed something more invisible yet fundamental: mutual respect for precision, durability, and craftsmanship.
In this spirit, the Taikō no Tō knife was born.
A knife that represents more than function; it embodies centuries of intercultural interaction. The blade is forged from Damascus steel, layered using a technique that dates back to the samurai blacksmithing of pre-modern Japan, which itself dates back to the Yayoi period (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE) and especially to the subsequent Kofun period (c. 250–538 CE), when forging techniques from China and Korea were introduced to Japan—with each layer a reminder of time, strength, and refinement. The handle is crafted from oak, sourced from sustainably managed forests, and shaped using techniques rooted in 17th-century Dutch shipbuilding. The whole is balanced and subtle, firm in the hand, and elegant in movement.
The Chinese influence is also visible—or rather, tangible. The shape and balance are tailored to the demands of classical Chinese cuisine, where speed, precision, and respect for ingredients are paramount. The Katsumoto Taikō no Tō cuts with the confidence of an heirloom, yet moves with the fluidity of a timeless tool.
Katsumoto 太古の刀 —Literally "the Old Sword"
A silent bearer of history. An instrument that, without words, speaks of dedication, innovation, and exchange. In an age of rapid consumption and digital distraction, this knife calls for slowing down, for attention. It is an ode to craftsmanship, and a reminder of how civilizations grow when they dare to encounter one another.
For the Katsumoto series, we strive to combine the best of several worlds: the knowledge and experience of blacksmithing from Japan and the expertise of woodworking and large-scale production from China. This has resulted in another wonderful collaboration between Chinese designer Steve Cheng and the owner of Japansemessen.nl.
The fantastic new "Taikō no Tō" series, which literally means "The Knife from the Prehistoric Era," is an ode to traditional medieval knives as they were widely used in Europe. The oak handle is a reflection of the "primordial" wood used to build many houses and VOC ships. The black forged pommel and handle shape are reminiscent of a traditional dagger, as was common in Northern and Eastern Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The double-sided, beautifully laminated damuscus blade made of stainless steel has a core of 10Cr15CoMoV steel. This steel is often considered a close equivalent of VG10 steel and offers comparable performance in terms of hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Both stainless steels are known for their excellent balance of these properties, making them popular choices for high-quality kitchen knives and other cutting tools. While VG10 is Japanese in origin, 10Cr15CoMoV is produced in China and can be a more affordable alternative without sacrificing quality, provided it is properly processed.
The blade is extremely thin and hand-sharpened without any thickening, making it very easy to sharpen on Japanese water stones.
The stainless steel core is forged between two layers of softer steel, and this outer layer is polished for a smooth satin look and feel. This also ensures that the core steel is well protected.
The blade is extremely thin and hand-sharpened, with no thickening, making it very easy to sharpen on Japanese water stones.
The stainless steel core is forged between two layers of softer steel. This outer layer is polished for a smooth satin look and feel. This also ensures that the core steel is well protected against potential damage and oxidation.
- Blade length: 190 mm
- Total length: 320 mm
- Weight: 200-210 grams
- Blade thickness: 2.2 mm
- Steel type: core steel: 10Cr15CoMoV stainless steel with two layers of Damascus steel (Warikomi forged) and a beautiful hammered pattern and kuroishi (black) protective layer
- Hardness: 59-61 (Rockwell C)
- Handle: Ergonomically shaped oak handle with a red G10 spacer (linen micarta) and a burnished back.
- The steel bolster is forged onto the blade for extra balance.
- The knives are delivered in a beautiful handmade traditional wooden box made of Pauwlonia wood (Paulownia Tomentosa).
These knives are not dishwasher safe and are very sensitive to hard and/or frozen products. These knives can be customized: if you'd like your name engraved on the knife, you can create a unique gift for yourself or a friend. We can engrave logos, images, or names on both the blade and the included wooden gift box.
We can also offer a professional hand-lettering service if you'd like your name or the recipient's name professionally written!
These knives are a unique design by Steven Chen for Japanesemessen.nl. To save costs, we've decided to have the knives produced in China. We are pleased to offer these exceptionally high-quality knives at a reasonable price.
Katsumoto:
Hosokawa Katsumoto (1430-1473) was a Shogunal governor in the 15th century and a key figure in the Japanese Onin War. With over 80,000 men, he fought against his father, Yamana Sozen, in the former capital of Kyoto. After 10 years of war, Kyoto was devastated with neither side able to claim victory.
