Yu Kurosaki's New Studio: Takefu, June 2026
We visited Yu Kurosaki's new studio in Takefu on 10 June 2026. Concrete, a garden, a sharpening room and knives on the wall, eleven years on from 2015.
James Zhang |
KNS BLOG
Yu Kurosaki's New Studio: Takefu, June 2026
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Sometimes the Internet can be a bit too informative (for a newbie)
Beginner advice on over-researching, recommending a start on an easy stainless knife before chasing hard carbon.
James Zhang |
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Why Honyaki knives are really expensive?
Explains the cost of honyaki: limited supply, high failure rate, one-billet-at-a-time heat treatment, and master labour.
James Zhang |
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What is Dentokougeshi of Japan? (日本の伝統工芸士)
Explains the Dentokougeshi "Traditional Craftsperson" government award and why the sticker matters less than a knife's profile/grind.
James Zhang |
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Shinko - Tanaka Blue 2 Stainless Clad now available
Product announcement for the K&S Tanaka Blue 2 with stainless cladding, thin Nashiji grind, and upgraded spine/choil fit & finish.
James Zhang |
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Announcement: Domain name change and SALE
Announcement of the move to knivesandstones.com.au, the BigCommerce→Shopify migration, and a 10% MOVING10 launch sale.
James Zhang |
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Announcement: Knives and Stones is Heading to the US!
Announcement of K&S launching its Brooklyn-based US online operation, with a limited free snakewood/buffalo-horn handle upgrade.
James Zhang |
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Restaurant Sushi Sen
From James's October 2019 trip: dinner with Kyo at Sushi Sen, a neighbourhood sushi counter in Kurakuen, Nishinomiya.
James Zhang |
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Church of the Wind by Tadao Ando
From James's October 2019 trip: a detour up Mt. Rokko to Tadao Ando's Church of the Wind, on the way from Miki to dinner in Nishinomiya.
James Zhang |
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A Specialty Hardware Store in Miki and Tanaka Workshop
From James's October 2019 trip to Miki: a specialty hardware store full of local tools, and Shigeki Tanaka's workshop, where he showed us his wrought iron prototype.
James Zhang |
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BBQ Night at Takayuki's Sanpo Factory
From James's October 2019 trip: a forging afternoon at Sakai Takayuki's Sanpo factory with Itsuo Doi and Mitsuo Yamatsuka, the new showroom, and the staff BBQ night.
James Zhang |
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Don’t buy a JR Pass, it is a rip off
Argues the Japan Rail Pass is poor value for a typical visitor, covering Hikari/Kodama limits and cheaper domestic-air + Suica/Icoca alternatives.
James Zhang |
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How to Fly to Japan for Less: Getting the Most from Qantas Frequent Flyer Points
Founder's guide to using Qantas Frequent Flyer miles to cut the cost of his frequent Japan trips.
James Zhang |
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Japan trip, July 2019, Day 4: from Sanjo to Tokyo
Day-4 travelogue: Tsukasa Hinoura's Sanjo workshop, his new house showroom, the Shinkansen to Tokyo, and Masamoto Sohonten + local Sukeroku sushi.
James Zhang |
