Description

Master Hattori became 80 years old a few years ago. In Japan, a person’s 80th birthday is commemorated with a special celebration called 傘寿 / Sanjyu. To celebrate his special anniversary year, and also his proud achievements as a Master craftsman, Hattori decided they would produce a Special Limited Edition Collection of knives called the 傘 San Series. 

The Hattori 傘 San Series knife collection will feature special, very limited production models, which Master Hattori can no longer produce in large quantities due to the rarity or limited availability of handle materials or blade materials.

Hattori has had a long relationship with the Wajima urushi & maki-e craftsman of Wajima City, in Ishikawa Prefecture, a place that has long been famous for producing traditional urushi & maki-e lacquerware and genuine masterpieces.

About 2 or 3 years ago, Hattori took on the challenge of working with other world-class Japanese Traditional Craftsmen to create a series of unmatched masterpieces, aiming to combine the unique knowledge, skills, spirit and history, of each craftsman.

What is Wajima Urushi Maki-e ? 

(Wajima Lacquerware with Gold or Silver Decoration)

Wajima Urushi Maki-e is a traditional Japanese lacquerware technique that originated in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Known for its durability, intricate beauty, and rich cultural heritage, Wajima lacquerware is crafted by applying multiple layers of natural urushi lacquer (Of various types) on to a wooden base.

The maki-e technique involves sprinkling finely powdered gold, silver, or other metallic powders, on to a lacquered surface to create intricate decorative artworks, ranging from nature-inspired motifs to abstract patterns. This process requires exceptional skill, as the delicate designs are often hand painted with fine brushes before the metallic powders are applied to the sticky lacquer.

Wajima Urushi Maki-e lacquerware items are highly valued for their artistry and resilience. Often passed down within families for generations, these treasured objects are used for both practical and ceremonial purposes, they are symbols of the timeless artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that Japan is well known for.

As you may have heard in the news, on January 1st, 2024, a strong earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture, causing devastating damage in the Noto area, where Wajima City is located. A highly skilled Urushi & Maki-e lacquerware craftsman, who works with Hattori, was one of many businesses that were severely impacted, suffering the loss of their building, inventory, and essential equipment.

This disaster happened shortly after they had completed the decorative handles for the 7 special Hattori knives that we are introducing today.

Today, they are steadfastly determined to rebuild, so they can preserve their traditional skills and pass them down to future generations.

In honor of their commitment, and to help preserve their craftsmanship, Hattori has put his heart and soul in to creating these works of art. We hope this collection will serve as a source of encouragement for the Wajima lacquerware artisans and inspire them to connect with future generations through their artistry.

In November 2024, we are honored to present and offer these artistic pieces to our customers, we hope they will stand as a testament to resilience, tradition and artistry.

Here are the masterpieces resulting from the collaboration between Hattori and the Wajima Urushi & Maki-e Craftsmen, created with over half a century of technical knowledge, practical experience and artistic skills.  

Hattori 傘 SAN Limited Edition “Wajima Urushi & Maki-e Project” SAN-119 HD Damascus "青波 GECKO" "Blue Wave GECKO"

For this special project, Master Hattori decided to create a finely detailed, delicate, and beautiful vortex pattern HD Damascus, which is Hattori's Historical Damascus — a masterpiece developed, while Master Hattori was still in younger age, he spent an enormous amount of time and effort to create and beautifully finish this historical Damascus steel, now known as HD Damascus.

4" Drop point V-Gold core forge 97 layered Nickel & Stainless Damascus blade, with 5' Urushi & Maki-e Handle. 

Always uncompromising, Hattori wanted to ensure the beautiful lacquered handles of these special knives were still strong, durable and practical, so Hattori worked closely with the urushi & maki-e craftsman to thoroughly test the Linen Micarta handle material that lies underneath the layers of lacquer. As you probably know, Linen Micarta is one of the most practical, durable knife handle materials because it strongly resists water, shrinkage and cracking.

“A blend of artistic mastery and craftsmanship beyond words" 

The urushi and maki-e craftsmen who decorated this handle have many long years of experience, which was gained through years of practice, trial and error. The lacquering process begins with building up three layers of intermediate lacquer and one layer of black lacquer. After preparing the surface, the 蒔絵 maki-e design is carefully painted in blue lacquer. Once the lacquer has cured, the surface is polished until smooth, then several thin coats of “wiping lacquer” (拭き漆 fuki-urushi) are wiped on and off to build up a protective topcoat. The final step is hand-polishing, with the palm of the hand, to achieve a natural shine. The GECKO design was painted twice to create a three-dimensional effect. Adding this second layer on top of the original maki-e design requires advanced skills, precision and great concentration.

HD Damascus blade, 5.0mm thick, 125mm blade length, 255mm overall length, Weight 200g

5' Urushi & Maki-e Handle with Stainless Steel Hilt and African Ebonywood Spacer

Specification
Knife Model: Hattori 傘 SAN Limited Edition “Wajima Urushi & Maki-e Project” SAN-119 HD Damascus "青波 GECKO" "Blue Wave GECKO"
Blade Material: HD Damascus 
Rockwell Hardness (HRc): 
Handle Material: Urushi & Maki-e Handle with Stainless Steel Hilt and African Ebonywood Spacer
Leather Sheath: Included
Overall Length: 255mm
Blade Length: 125mm
Blade Thickness: 5mm
Weight: 200g