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MORITAKA History |
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Moritaka Cutlery was founded in 1293 (during the Kamakura Period) by “金剛兵衛源盛高” (Kongouhyoueminamotono Moritaka), who was the head swordsimth for the Buddhist priests at Mt. Houman in Dazaifu, Fukuoka. His descendants then inherited his business and followed his footsteps in the same city for 13 generations.
In 1632, our family followed Higo Daimyo Mitsunari Hosokawa (the feudal ruler of Higo) and moved to Miyaji-machi, Yatsushiro, Kumamoto. For another 13 generations in this city, we forged swords for the Buddhist armies, the Daimyo's army, and also the Daimyo himself. Kongohyoue's swords were very unique because they were made and used to help attain Buddhahood.
Five generations ago, master bladesmith Chuzaemon Moritaka decided to change the business direction and apply our forging experiences into cutleries other than swords. Since then we have been dedicatedly producing a large variety of kitchen cutleries and edged tools for gardening, agriculture and forestry. Currently the production of Katana swords is also continued for the purpose of succession and the preservation of our traditions.
Moritaka Cutlery has a history over 700 years. The knife that you purchase is forged with skills and knowledge developed and accumulated generation by generation. |
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| a work by 金剛兵衛源盛高（ Kongohyoue minamotonomoritaka ） in the Muromachi period |
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| feature of Kongohyoue ; a stupa tang |
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scene of sword's production in 1975 by the late Yasuhiro Moritaka |
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| Higo handguards |
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