Okubo Kajiya Kataha Yanagiba 225mm Aogami #2 left-handed

Okubo Kajiya is unique, in more ways than one.

For starters it's the one and only blacksmith operating in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island (Japan's fourth largest), but really, that's just incidental. For us what sets them apart is the low output - only three to four knives per day. The reason so few knives are produced is that Okubo san and his son are true artisans, forging blades one by one using the old ways. Most that emerge from their elven-like forge are for customers waiting for their particular Okubo Kajiya blade, forged and sharpened especially for them. 

Okubo san places a great deal of emphasis on final sharpness, and if you decide to have one of his knives forged and sharpened especially for you, you can be guaranteed a highly satisfying level of craftsmanship and exemplary cutting feel. The yanagiba you receive will be amazingly sharp out of the box, beautifully executed and hand-honed to its potential.

Note that the blade length of sashimi knives is measured from the ferrule to the knife tip and not the length of the cutting edge, as it is with other knife styles. The edge of a 7.5寸 (sun) yanagiba is less than the stated equivalent of 225mm and will vary between knife makers. Okubo Kajiya also crafts a 7-sun (21cm・8¼ inch) yanagiba and an 8-sun (24cm・9½ inch). We haven't had the opportunity to photograph those knives but we've added them above as purchase options. All product photos and specs on this page describe the 7.5-sun/225mm knife.