Beyond the Blade:

JApanese Knife Craftsmanship

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST

About the Event:

The Japan Society of Boston is hosting a special event featuring two guests from Japan to introduce us to the art of Japanese knife craftsmanship.

Kentaro Hoshiba is a fourth generation blacksmith whose family has been supporting fishing and farming villages in Noto since the Meiji period by polishing and selling knives. Their company, Fukube Kaji Corp. began in 1901 as traveling knife peddlers, selling and maintaining the vital everyday tools of housewives, farmers, and fishermen. Today, they keep the tradition of knife polishing services alive through "Pochisupa," now with the help of online shipping. They are also currently working to expand business to the U.S., and launch their own knives, the Shinbu and Tafu. 

Fukube Kaji and other companies are supported by Bunkei Corp., a consulting firm that aims to continue the culture of traditional Japanese craftsmanship into the 22nd century by providing guidance and resources to aid the transition into the modern age. 

Our speakers will not only teach us about the precise art of Japanese knife making, but will also share about their traditions, companies, and current activities in Japan. 

This is a free, hour long presentation with Q&A hosted on zoom. 

Fukube Kaji Corp. website 

Bunkei Corp. website 

If you are interesting in supporting relief efforts following the January 1, 2024 earthquake, please donate to Fukube Kaji Corp. earthquake recovery fund. 

About The Speakers:

Kentaro Hoshiba is CEO of Fukube Kaji Corporation. He was born is 1980 in Noto of Ishikawa prefecture in Japan. After graduating from a university in Kyoto, he moved back to his hometown and started to work for a town hall. Now he is continuing his family business which has been active for more than 100 years as a fourth generation knife artisan. He is passionate about promoting growth in his hometown of Noto through his knife business with production not only in Japan but overseas as well.  

Yukimune Oji is the CEO of Bunkei Corp. He was born in 1990 in Numazu of Shizuoka Prefecture. After graduating from Kyoto University, he worked at Mitsubishi corporation, later becoming the general manager at SkymatiX, their remote sensing company while also working as Chief Strategy Officer at Funadomari Fishery Corp. Oji speaks English, Spanish, and Turkish along with his native Japanese, and he has traveled to all 47 prefectures in Japan, and visited over 50 countries. 

Please note that we often take photographs at events for our records and sometimes for use in public media such as Facebook and blog posts. Registering for an event generally signifies acknowledgment that your likeness may be used in these ways. If you are not comfortable with this, please let us know and we can accommodate you.

As part of registering, we ask for your email address. Your email address will not be sold or given to third parties without your permission. By registering with your email address, you may receive emails from the Japan Society of Boston, including updates about event details , announcements about other upcoming events, and special offers.  Please be in touch with us anytime to change your email preferences.