Sakai Akazawa by Yoshikazu Ikeda

Traditional craftsman Association Chairman Toshikazu Ikeda

I apprenticed myself to my father in 1967 wondering whether I could get over the summer staring at the redden charcoal in front of me. Luckily, since then, I have been engaged in knife production founding Ikeda Tanrenjo in 1983. I don’t think I am clever with my hands. Or rather, my hands are clumsy and stubborn. Stubborn enough to do the same job without boring. Can hammer the metal over and over, again and again.

1988　METI-designated Master of Traditional Crafts
1999　Sakai City Special Contribution Award
2004　Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
2014　Osaka Prefectural Award “Master Craftsman in Naniwa”