Hashimoto Shoichi’s latest work, “Ukabuse”, takes its name from a Japanese idiom and continues the lineage of “Hayase” and “Watarase”. More than a thematic continuation, it represents a new step in his exploration of structure, heat treatment, and pattern development.
The blade is constructed in Sanmai, yet unlike conventional laminated work, the Damascus cladding has been specially formulated to withstand Honyaki heat treatment. The intention was never complexity for its own sake, but refinement. The goal was to achieve a balanced relationship between the Hamon produced by clay-tempered and the Damascus pattern.
At its core lies a 406-layer edge forged from nine steels, including Hitachi Aogami Super, Aogami No.1 and No.2, Shirogami No.1 and No.2, together with four additional high-carbon steels. The outer layers are divided between high-carbon steel and highly corrosion-resistant material, each side forged to 16,333 layers. In total, the blade comprises 33,072 layers (16,333+406+16,333). Portions of the corrosion-resistant material were sourced from surplus stock originally prepared for Hashimoto’s art knife projects, contributing to the exceptional density within those areas. Despite this numerical complexity, the overall structure remains precise and composed, with a pattern that is clear, well defined, and distinctly three-dimensional.