Matsubara Hamono

Matsubara Hamono — Nagasaki's Father-Son Forge

Tucked away in Omura City, Nagasaki, Matsubara Hamono is a father-and-son story in steel—master smith Katsuto Tanaka (田中勝人) , a fourth-generation blacksmith, forging side-by-side with his son, Hiroki (裕紀). Their workshop (often called Tanaka Kama Kogyo) sits in a region where blade-making runs deep; local lore traces the craft back more than 800 years, and you feel that lineage in every heat, hammer, and quench. Expect characterful finishes—rustic kurouchi and lively tsuchime—and a practical mix of steels: White #1 for that keen, classic bite, Blue #2 for edge retention, and clean, stainless, user friendly Ginsan. Matsubara profiles have a signature “tall and useful” vibe (think tall nakiri or even kiri-style cleavers), with grinds that slide through produce and cladding that keeps maintenance sane in a busy kitchen. It’s old-school know-how meeting real-world cooking—family craft, regional history, and knives that simply make you want to cook.

松原包丁

When you hold a knife from Matsubara Hamono, you’re not just grasping steel — you’re holding generations of craftsmanship, heritage, and family dedication. Based in Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, this workshop is led by fourth-generation blacksmith Katsuto Tanaka and his son Hiroki Tanaka, representing the perfect bridge between traditional Japanese forging and modern knife design.

The Matsubara region has a blade-making lineage that stretches back more than 800 years, and that deep history lives on in every hammer strike and heat treatment performed in the Tanaka family forge. What makes Matsubara Hamono stand out is the hands-on approach — forging, cladding, grinding, and finishing are all done in-house. Under Katsuto’s steady experience and Hiroki’s youthful eye for refinement, their knives blend time-honored forging skill with contemporary practicality and balance.

Matsubara knives are instantly recognizable for their tall blade profiles, generous knuckle clearance, and distinctive finishes such as kurouchi (black-forged), tsuchime (hammered), and nashiji (pear-skin). They are often forged from steels like Shirogami #1, Aogami #2, and Ginsan, carefully laminated with stainless cladding for ease of maintenance. The result is a knife that performs brilliantly in both professional kitchens and at home — offering a smooth, confident cut and superb edge retention.

Choosing a knife from Matsubara Hamono means choosing personality, story, and purpose. Each blade carries the spirit of Nagasaki’s forging tradition and the personal touch of the Tanaka family. It’s not a product of automation but of artistry — the warmth of human hands meeting the precision of fine steel. Whether you’re a passionate home cook or a seasoned chef, a Matsubara knife brings together heritage, functionality, and the unmistakable soul of true Japanese craftsmanship.

“Father and son in Ōmura, Nagasaki — four generations of forging with Shimabara spirit.”

Est. 1933 | 昭和8年

Known for Father-and-son operation, fourth-generation blacksmithing

Instagram @matsubara_hamono

People

Current Head: Katsuto Tanaka 田中勝人

Craft

Known For: Father-and-son operation, fourth-generation blacksmithing
Steel: Blue #2, White #2

Location

Address: 371 Matsubarahonmachi, Ōmura, Nagasaki 856-0009, Japan
Region: Nagasaki, Japan
Coordinates: 32.973362, 129.9437963

Brand

Logo

Native Name

松原刃物

Why Matsubara Hamono Matters

Matsubara Hamono is a father-and-son forge in Ōmura City, Nagasaki, led by 4th generation master Katsuto Tanaka (田中勝人) alongside his son Hiroki. A small artisan operation continuing a forging tradition dating back to 1933.

Does Matsubara Hamono Allow Unsolicited Visits?

Not open to public visits.

Knives by Matsubara Hamono

Matsubara Blue 2 Nashiji Stainless Clad

Shu Matsubara’s Blue 2 Nashiji is a rustic looking and highly practical knife that carries some decent performance and great value. The stainless cladding ov... Read more

Shu Matsubara’s Blue 2 Nashiji is a rustic looking and highly practical knife that carries some decent performance and great value. The stainless cladding over the Blue 2 steel is a great plus in usability, and the hand-forged taper and profile offers great handling in use.The organic trace left from handcraft can be easily spotted on these blades at first glance, the floating cladding line, texture-rich Nashiji and tapered spine speaks of the heat and sweat they went through. Nashiji/pear skin finish is one of my favourite finishes, not only because of the lovely look, but also its ability to keep it. After forging and heat treating, the black oxidation layer is left on the surface of the knife, by using a wire brush instead of more aggressive abrasive, this softer layer of oxide can be removed without erasing away the texture of the steel. As the wire brush is essentially scratching the steel until the surface is evenly scratched, it is really hard to create more scratch on Nashiji surface in regular use. Compared with other clean and even finishes, this high entropy finish can stay this way very easily.Just like the surface finish of them, these knives’ construction is also very masculine. They weigh on the higher side in their respective category and tend to have a slightly taller profile. The heavy weight is pretty great for those who like a reassuring handling for their tools, and Matsubara surely delivers that. The geometry of the blade is too not the most aggressive and laser-like. Some thickness is left in the bevel for a more robust edge, but a gentle convex can still ensure a relatively smooth cut.The Blue 2 is a common steel used extensively in hand forged blades, having more edge retention and being less reactive than White and easier to deal with than Blue Super, many blacksmiths are happy to forge with this steel and many chefs are happy to use knives made with it. Despite the need for maintenance still, the wicked edge you can get on this steel still attracts many users, not to mention the stainless cladding it is warped in on these knives have made the caring much less tedious.These blades remind me of Shigeki Tanaka’s works(it’s definitely a coincidence that both makers share the family name), rustic, organic and characterful. The pricing is also pretty attractive, and I even think for the amount of work put into these knives, this price is pretty low for what you get. I’d highly recommend this knife for anyone who is looking for a carbon steel knife and prefers a heavy, workhorse style blade. Read less

Pros

Budget friendly
Great for professionals
Great artistic

Cons

Need some work on the blade
Prone to rust

Sanmai - Stainless Clad Nashiji

Frequently Asked Questions about Matsubara Hamono

Who is Matsubara Hamono?

Matsubara Hamono is a Japanese knife maker based in Nagasaki, Japan , established in 1933. They are known for Father-and-son operation, fourth-generation blacksmithing. Their signature steels include Blue #2, White #2. Available at Knives and Stones Australia.

What knives does Matsubara Hamono make?

Matsubara Hamono produces the following knife lines: Matsubara Blue 2 Nashiji Stainless Clad. We currently carry 6 products from Matsubara Hamono at Knives and Stones. They specialise in Father-and-son operation, fourth-generation blacksmithing.

Where is Matsubara Hamono located?

Matsubara Hamono is located in Nagasaki, Japan. Japanese knife-making regions each have distinct traditions.

Where can I buy Matsubara Hamono knives in Australia?

Knives and Stones is an authorised Australian stockist of Matsubara Hamono. You can shop online at knivesandstones.com.au with free shipping on orders over $99, or visit our stores in St Peters (Sydney), Crows Nest (Sydney) and Braddon (Canberra) to handle the knives before buying.