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It is said that the art of Echizen Uchihamono (cutting instruments) originated in 1337, when a man named Chiyozuru Kuniyasu set out for Fuchu (Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture) in search of a good source of water for sword-smithing. Along the way, he began to make sickles for farmers in the neighboring districts. Then during the Edo Period (1687-1885) a system of funds was formed under a protective policy enacted by the Lord of Fukui, and sales routes were established through out the country. Today we produce Uchihamano (sickles, hatchets, shears, kitchen knives, etc) using the same original forging and hand-finishing techniques. In 1979 Takefu City was the first area officially recognized as the Traditional Producing District by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Preserving tradition by implementing it into the lifestyle of today. Takefu Knife Village has become known for drawing from elements of Echizen Uchihamono's industrial designs to create an all-new brand. ･ Edo period - In the Edo Period (1603-1867), the sales routes for Echizen sickles spread throughout Japan. This came about because Urushi-kaki (the men who collected lacquer from the urushi trees) as a trade had taken the hardware tools with them when they set out to collect lacquer throughout the country. ･ Meiji Period - 3,530,000 sickles are supposed to have been produced in Japan in the 7th year of the Meiji Period (1874) and 970,000 of them, equivalent to approximately 27.5% of the total, were produced here in Takefu (now Echizen City). ･ Showa Period ･･･ Because of its long history and historical significance, the Echizen Sword was designated as traditional craftwork for the first time in the Japanese sword industry in January in the 54th year of the Showa Period (1979). The Japanese government set a high priority on continuing to supply excellent products throughout Japan for as long as 700 years.

Cutlery also makes for a perfect gift. In the world of fortune telling, knives are represented as the number "7". What this means is that both the gift giver and receiver will enjoy good fortune and happiness. Additionally, from the cut of a wedding cake, to the tape-cutting of a new building or a new ship about to head out to sea, knives are important symbols used at festivals to denote new beginnings. When you send a knife, you also send this true sentiment from your heart. You also send the send the legendary skills of Echizen Uchihamono, one who wished to combine the ideas of "celebration" and "the start of new things".

	Kazuo Kawasaki was born in 1949, in the city of Fukui (now Echizen City). He graduated from the Kanazawa College of Arts. He is the Representative Director of eX-DESIGN, INC. ■Recipient of the '90 Mainichi Design Award ■The Director Prize of Small and Medium Enterprises Agency ■The Silver Prize of the Japan Design Committee / Design Forum ■International Design Review Selection (USA）■Selected for permanent collection of Smithsonian Institution / Cooper-Hewitt Museum ■Japan Design Award incentive prize ■Gold Metal at the 13th Ljubliana BIO Exhibition ■ ICSID Special Award at the 17th World Design Conference ■International Design Prize of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg 1993 ■Selected for permanent collection of the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts. And many various other Good Design Awards	The TAKEFU brand combines the traditional arts with modern designs to bring you modern cutlery tools for todays lifestyle, and is growing as an international brand. The Takefu Knife Village was forged from the designs of the talented Kazuo Kawasaki.
		Culeus was chosen for the Designers Choice Award by the American Magazine of Industrial Design in 1987.
		Chosen for the Good Design Award by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1985. Also received the Silver Medal at the Design Forum organized by the Japanese Design Committee in 1983.

Artus18 Professional Knife Price：JPY 30,000 Material ：st VG The Artus Professional Series received the Good Design Award by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1985. It also recieved the Silver Medal at the Design Forum organized by the Japanese Design Committee in 1983. A knife that works well both in the kitchen and at your dining table. From the handle to the edge of the blade, this knife is properly unified for a clean, easy to use feel. Great care has been taken in the weight balance, blade, curve, and materials to craft a best-quality hand-made product.

Culeus 13 Kitchen Knife Price：JPY 6,200 Material ：st VG The Culeus received the American Magazine of Industrial Design Designers Choice Award in 1987. This knife has been unified from the blade right down to the handle grip. This knife completely eliminates the faults of easily soiled wooden handle knife, and the problem of rusting.

Artus Ham Slicer Price：JPY 23,400 Material ：st VG The Artus Professional Series received the Good Design Award by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1985. It also recieved the Silver Medal at the Design Forum organized by the Japanese Design Committee in 1983. A knife that works well both in the kitchen and at your dining table. From the handle to the edge of the blade, this knife is properly unified for a clean, easy to use feel. Great care has been taken in the weight balance, blade, curve, and materials to craft a best-quality hand-made product.