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-121 Cowry X Damascus "溜透かし 波 GECKO" "Wave with Tamesukashi (lacquer technique) GECKO"

For this special project, Master Hattori decided to create the KD30-1 Cowry X Damascus Hunter model with his famous Cowry-X Damascus blade. The KD30-1 Cowry X Damascus blade is one of our favorites, the large blade features an elongated Clip Point, with Swedge, and Hattori’s beautiful and unique Vortex pattern layered Damascus.

The Hattori KD Cowry X Damascus Blade is regarded as Mr. Hattori's best masterpiece, simbol of the Hattori craftsmanship. Known for his uncompromising dedication to knife making, Hattori has spent all of the energy, passion, and expertise into creating the exceptional KD Cowry X Damascus knives, which offer both stunning beauty and outstanding cutting performance.

Each hand-forged blade features a core layer of Cowry X, surrounded by outer layers of Nickel-Stainless Damascus. Cowry X is a highly reputable powdered metallurgy tool steel specially developed by Daido Steel Company for high-performance cutting tools. It contains a high percentage of carbon (3%) and chromium (20%), along with molybdenum (1%) and a touch of vanadium (0.3%), ensuring remarkable toughness and cutting edge retention.

Cowry-X Damascus Hunter  6.2" Clip-Point Cowry-X 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 after years of practice, trial and error.  First,  three coats of intermediate lacquer were applied to the handle, then one coat of red lacquer was applied. Once the surface had been prepared for maki-e, a silver design was created on the lacquer. After the lacquer hardened, a layer of shu-ai urushi (A clear red lacquer) was applied to add depth. Once this layer had hardened, the entire handle surface was sanded smooth, then a thin coat of lacquer was applied and any excess lacquer was wiped away (A process called fuki-urushi), this step was repeated several times to increase durability and depth. Finally, the handle was hand polished with the palm of the hand, to bring out a beautiful luster.

Shu-ai urushi is a natural, uncolored lacquer that has the unique characteristic of becoming increasingly transparent over time. With age, the tame-sukashi technique used here will allow the patterns to gradually become more vivid, enhancing the beauty of the piece as it matures.

Cowry-X Damascus blade, 5.0mm thick, 158mm blade length, 289mm overall length, Weight 262g

5.1' Urushi & Maki-e Handle with Stainless Steel Hilt and Walnut wood & Copper Spacer

Specification
Knife Model: Hattori 傘 SAN Limited Edition “Wajima Urushi & Maki-e Project” SAN-121 Cowry X Damascus "溜透かし 波 GECKO" "Wave with Tamesukashi (lacquer technique) GECKO"
Blade Material: Cowry X Damascus 
Rockwell Hardness (HRc): 
Handle Material: Urushi & Maki-e Handle with Stainless Steel Hilt and Walnut wood & Copper Spacer
Leather Sheath: Included
Overall Length: 289mm
Blade Length: 158mm
Blade Thickness: 5mm
Weight: 262g