Shigemitsu Hamono
Explore handcrafted kitchen knives from Shigemitsu Hamono, a family-run forge in Nagasaki with over 100 years of blacksmithing tradition. Each knife is made by father-and-son blacksmiths using Shirogami #1 steel and time-honored forging techniques. Built for everyday use, these double-bevel knives offer lasting sharpness, balance, and the spirit of true Japanese craftsmanship.
Shigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Santoku 160mm
Shigemitsu Hamono4.67 / 5.0
3 Reviews
The Shigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Santoku 160mm is a handcrafted Japanese Santoku knife forged in Shimabara, Nagasaki by the Inoue family at Shigemits...
View full detailsShigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Thin Deba Knife 155mm
Shigemitsu Hamono5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
The Shigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Thin Deba Knife 155mm is a handcrafted Japanese fish knife forged in Shimabara, Nagasaki, by the Inoue family at Shi...
View full detailsShigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Deba Knife 155mm
Shigemitsu Hamono4.0 / 5.0
1 Review
The Shigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Deba Knife 155mm is a handcrafted Japanese fish knife forged in Shimabara, Nagasaki, by the Inoue family at Shigemit...
View full detailsShigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Nakiri 155mm
Shigemitsu HamonoThe Shigemitsu Hamono Kurouchi Nakiri Knife 155mm is a handcrafted Japanese vegetable knife forged from Shirogami (White Steel) No.2 by Shigemitsu ...
View full detailsAbout the Craftsman
Three Generations of Forging Tradition in Shimabara, Nagasaki
Third-generation blacksmith Hiroyuki, now 59, began forging knives right after high school and humbly admits he's still trying to match his father's skill. Today, he works side-by-side with his son Yuki Inoue, who also started forging straight out of high school. Together, they continue to refine their technique every day—honoring tradition while embracing steady growth and innovation.
The family forge has seen both hardship and rebirth. In 1992, a devastating mudslide caused by Mt. Unzen’s eruption destroyed their original smithy. But the family didn’t give up—they rebuilt it with their own hands, keeping their craft and legacy alive.
At Shigemitsu Hamono, each knife is carefully hand-forged using the time-honored method of sandwiching high-carbon steel between layers of soft iron. These blades aren’t stainless—they require care to avoid rust—but in return, they offer a sharpness and edge retention that stainless steel simply can’t match.