This is a Yanagiba knife with deep historical significance and commemorative value, with a history of over 70 years.
The origin of this knife can be traced back to Takahito, Prince Mikasa, the younger brother of Emperor Showa. During the post-war reconstruction period in Japan, he used donated funds to help build cutlery workshop facilities to promote the inheritance of Japanese sword-making techniques. In June 1952, Prince Takahito personally visited "Mizuno Tanrenjo" in Sakai City to attend its completion ceremony and express his encouragement and support.
To commemorate this historic moment, the then-second-generation swordsmith "Masanori Mizuno" specially crafted some knives and presented them to Takahito, Prince Mikasa as a sign of respect. This Yanagiba knife is one of the precious items that remained in Mizuno Tanrenjo from that time.
The pine, bamboo, and plum engraving on the blade was handmade by the late engraver Iwasaki Shozo. He is the father of Iwasaki Norimitsu, the engraver of the "Flying Dragon Honyaki Chinese Cleaver." The exquisite engraving makes this Yanagiba even more unique and valuable.
The blade length reaches an astonishing 660 mm. It cannot be operated with one hand, and its weight and width even exceed those of a tuna cutting knife. The impact of such a monster size cannot be fully conveyed by photos. If you have the opportunity to visit our store, be sure to see this unprecedented knife in person and witness its unique charm.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Prince Mikasa Takahito (Source: Wikipedia)
Born on December 2, 1915, he was a member of the Japanese Imperial Family, the youngest son of Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei, and the fourth among his brothers. He was the younger brother of Emperor Showa and the uncle of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. His childhood name was "Suminomiya," and his 宮號 (Miyagō, title) was "Mikasa no Miya," named after Mount Mikasa in Nara City. His emblem is a young cedar.
Because he was born late, he was not considered an heir to the throne. During World War II, he was sent to China as a soldier in the Japanese Army, where he witnessed the war disasters brought about by the atrocities of the Japanese Army. As a result, he held a firm anti-war stance within the Imperial Household. This also meant that he was not prosecuted or held accountable after Japan's surrender.
Prince Takahito played an important role in Sino-Japanese diplomacy and reconciliation due to his left-leaning political stance. He represented the Imperial Family in apologizing to the victims in China and Korea and was known for his common lifestyle, such as taking the subway to work. On October 27, 2016, Prince Mikasa Takahito passed away at St. Luke's International Hospital in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, due to heart failure, at the venerable age of 100.
