Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki 

The legendary blacksmith Mr. Shigeyoshi Iwasaki was born in 1933 and was trained by among others his father Dr. Iwasaki Kousuke that designed Iwasaki Kamisori also a metallurgist famous for classifying Japanese steels i.e. "yellow paper", "white paper", "blue paper" etc.

He also took part in an investigation of ancient swords and knives kept at Syousou-In, a treasure house built in the 8th century.

When he was not in his forge, he taught technical skills and metallurgy theory to young blacksmiths from Sanjo as Shigefusa and Yoshikane

Now when he is almost retired he and his student Mr. Ryoichi Mizuochi making these amazing razors!

The Japanese Razor

Japanese razors, known askamisori, are unique to Japan. The Japanese razor was originally used for shaving the hair of samurai warriors, but in the Meiji period, it came to be used for shaving at barbershops. Using a traditional blacksmithing technique in which a bar of iron is used as the base metal and steel is attached to the part that will become the blade, craftsmen manufacture each blade by hand.

Hard to find

Sanjo Seisakusho's Japanese razor is a popular product with a waiting period of several years. “Even when customers ask me when I can finish it, I don't reply. I tell them that it will take about 1-2 months when it takes shape,” says Mr. Yoshiichi Mizuochi, a craftsman.

Handmade

“My master, Kosuke Iwasaki, entered the Department of Japanese History at the University of Tokyo and studied ancient documents related to swords. I learned it so I can make sharp knives. Sometimes I want to make another product, but as long as there is no end to the demand, I will continue to make razors. Our passion for sharpness continues to burn unabated.".

Razor Sharp

The Japanese razor is finished with a whetstone down to the micron level, so it is so sharp that you can cut your hair just by touching it. Currently, there is only one Japanese razor craftsman left in the smithing centre of Tsubamesanjo

Sanjo Seisakusho Japanese razors and small knives

The sharpness of Sanjo Seisakusho Japanese razors and small knives is world renowned. In 2014, Mizuochi Ryoichi from the Sanjo Seisakusho workshop was recognised as a Master of Traditional Crafts by the Japanese government; he is currently one of the last remaining Japanese razor craftsmen in Japan.

The Honbadsuke sharpening process