Higonokami steel 9.5 cm

The latter improved the original version by installing a “Chikiri” (lens in Japanese) to block the blade when opening. It took its name from the ancient name of the Kyushu region (Higo). “Higo no Kami” means “Lord of Higo” in Japanese, referring to the last samurai lord of the region. The history of the knife joins that of Japan where, in 1877, the last battle took place between Samurai and the modern army of the Emperor. Defeated, the Samurai were deprived of their privileges, including that of carrying the sword. As a result, many blacksmiths had to find other outlets, reconverted to cutlery production and settled in the Miki region. In 1899, “Higonokami Knife Union” was established and the “Higonokami” trademark was registered in 1910 to protect against poor quality imitations. After the Second World War the introduction of utility knives, electric pencil sharpeners and the social campaign against knives in the 1960s dealt a major blow to the industry. More and more manufacturers have changed jobs or gone out of business. This is how Nagao Kanakoma Knife became the only manufacturer that could use the “Higonokami” brand. Today it is Mitsuo, the ^5th generation of Nagao, who succeeds Motosuke.