Yoshihiko Akitomo

Yoshihiko Akitomo (秋友義彦), Tosa

Yoshihiko Akitomo is the third generation of the Akitomo forge (秋友義彦鍛造所) in Tosa-Yamada, Kami City, Kochi; the forge's own site says the family began forging about a century before the site was written. Kochi City's 2018 craft page credits him with kobuse-zukuri (甲伏せ造り), his own method, built the same way as a Japanese sword and strong against impacts from the side.

The forge's Red Orca brand was launched in 2003 by Shozo Akitomo, the fourth generation. Kochi City's page says he makes knives for hunting, butchering and skinning, as well as knives for mushroom picking. Yoshihiko retired in August 2024.

Yoshihiko Akitomo is the third generation of the Akitomo forge (秋友義彦鍛造所) in Tosa-Yamada, Kami City, Kochi. The forge's own site says the family began forging about a century before the site was written, and that since January 2003 the forge has made its knives through to the finished piece itself.

Kochi City's 2018 craft page says kobuse-zukuri (甲伏せ造り) is the original method developed by the third generation, Yoshihiko. It is built the same way as a Japanese sword and stands up to impacts from the side. The forge makes the whole knife, blade, handle and sheath, and finishes its sheaths in lacquered magnolia wood (honoki), another practice taken from sword making.

Red Orca, the forge's brand, was launched in 2003 by Shozo Akitomo, the fourth generation. Yoshihiko retired in August 2024.

“Third-generation Tosa smith who developed kobuse-zukuri. Retired.”

Known for Kobuse-zukuri, a method he developed

Craft

Known For: Kobuse-zukuri, a method he developed

Location

Region: Tosa, Japan
Coordinates: 33.605453, 133.673141

Brand

Logo

Native Name

秋友義彦鍛造所

Why Yoshihiko Akitomo Matters

Yoshihiko Akitomo represented the third generation of the Akitomo forge (秋友義彦鍛造所) in Tosa. Kochi City's 2018 craft page credits him with developing kobuse-zukuri, which it says uses the same construction as a Japanese sword. The forge's Red Orca brand was launched in 2003 by Shozo Akitomo, the fourth generation. Yoshihiko retired in August 2024.

Does Yoshihiko Akitomo Allow Unsolicited Visits?

Not open to public visits. (Retired August 2024)

Knives by Yoshihiko Akitomo

Frequently Asked Questions about Yoshihiko Akitomo

Who is Yoshihiko Akitomo?

Yoshihiko Akitomo is a Japanese knife maker based in Tosa, Japan. They are known for Kobuse-zukuri, a method he developed. Available at Knives and Stones Australia.

What knives does Yoshihiko Akitomo make?

Yoshihiko Akitomo produces the following knife lines: Akitomo Blue 2 Honyaki. They specialise in Kobuse-zukuri, a method he developed.

Where is Yoshihiko Akitomo located?

Yoshihiko Akitomo is located in Tosa, Japan. Japanese knife-making regions each have distinct traditions. Tosa in Kochi Prefecture is known for rustic, robust knives forged with traditional free-forging techniques.

Where can I buy Yoshihiko Akitomo knives in Australia?

Knives and Stones is an authorised Australian stockist of Yoshihiko Akitomo. You can shop online at knivesandstones.com.au, with free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide, or visit our stores in St Peters (Sydney), Crows Nest (Sydney), Braddon (Canberra) and Prahran (Melbourne) to handle the knives before buying.

What is Red Orca?

Red Orca is the brand of the Akitomo forge in Tosa. Kochi City's craft page says Shozo Akitomo, the fourth generation of a smithy running since the Meiji era, launched it in 2003 and chose the name so it would work around the world.

The Yoshihiko Akitomo forge's own site (秋友義彦鍛造所) names Yoshihiko Akitomo as the forge's third generation and says the family began forging about a century ago.

Yoshihiko Akitomo

Craft

Location

Brand

Why Yoshihiko Akitomo Matters

Does Yoshihiko Akitomo Allow Unsolicited Visits?

Knives by Yoshihiko Akitomo

Visit Us In Person

St Peters

Crows Nest

Canberra

Prahran

Footer links