Wanko Dog Knife

“There are products that, the moment you hold them, you immediately want to use. The ‘Kujira Knife’, crafted by skilled blacksmiths in Tosa, is one of those.”

The whale - dog - and cat shaped knives are perfect for collectors, those interested in feng shui, and more. They can also be taken outdoors for camping, used for crafts, cutting paper, sharpening pencils, peeling fruit...and even for self-defense. Their charming designs have made them a popular gift item in Japan.

"The Whale Knife" before completion

"A good feeling in use" — sometimes, that's all that matters.

These Kujira (whale), Neko (cat), and Wan (dog) knives are handcrafted by artisan Satoshi Yamashita, the second-generation owner of Fujigen Knife Works in Kochi, Japan.

Mr. Satoshi Yamashita

“One day, while talking with the owner of a shop that sells handmade goods in Tosa, she said, ‘I want to make a knife for my daughter to sharpen pencils.’ It was a casual conversation - and that’s how it all began,” Mr. Yamashita shared...
 

Tosa Bay in Kochi is home to many species of whales and is a city deeply connected to them. Whale watching is also a popular tourist attraction in Kochi. The prototype knife’s design happened to resemble a whale - one of Kochi’s iconic symbols - and that’s how the Kujira Knife was born.

Hand-forged using traditional techniques.

Mr. Yamashita of Fujigen Knife Works Co., Ltd., the maker of the Kujira Knife, is a blacksmith who originally specialized in sickles. What makes Tosa cutlery unique is a manufacturing method known as “free forging.” The finishing process is repeated multiple times using different types of sharpening stones.

Final polishing

Tosa cutlery inherits its techniques from the traditional Japanese sword-making method known as Shingane. By sandwiching a steel core between two layers of iron and forging them carefully, Tosa knives can be shaped freely while maintaining a strong and durable blade. With meticulous attention to detail and deep passion, the craftsmen create a core that becomes stronger, softer, and more flexible over time. Every aspect of the artisan’s way of life is beautifully reflected in the charming “Kujira Knife.”

This adorable mini whale-shaped knife earned blacksmith Satoshi Yamashita the Honorary Award at the 1st Kochi Souvenir-Making Contest, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, and the top prize at the 18th National Village Revitalization Exhibition in Japan.