裕翠 YUUSUI | Mr. Itou & Mr. Nagata "Treasure & Pleasure Custom Limited Knife Collections"

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裕翠 YUUSUI | The Legacy of Mr. Itou, Carried Forward by Mr. Nagata In Loving Memory of Master Craftsman Hiroo Itou (1942-2025) It is with deep respect and gratitude that we share the passing of Mr. Hiroo Itou in October 2025, at the age of 83. For decades, Mr. Itou dedicated his life to the art of knife making, creating unique, one-of-a-kind custom kitchen knives renowned for their exceptional sharpness, rare handle materials, and unparalleled craftsmanship. The Master's Philosophy We first encountered Mr. Itou at the Knife Show in Seki City in 2006, where his work with R-2 powdered metal steel immediately stood out. While other powdered steels like Cowry X and ZDP-189 could achieve higher hardness, Mr. Itou chose R-2 (HRc. 62) for its perfect balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. His guiding philosophy was always practicality—creating knives that performed beautifully in real kitchens, not just showpieces. Mr. Itou was fanatical about his craft, hand-forging each Damascus blade, carefully tapering the tang for perfect balance, and collecting rare materials from around the world—Mammoth Molar Teeth, Mammoth Ivory, Narwhal horn, Turquoise, Abalone, Stag and More—to create handles as unique as the blades themselves. A Legacy Preserved: Introducing Mr. Nagata For over 15 years, Mr. Nagata trained under Mr. Itou's guidance, learning not only the technical mastery of hammer forging and blade crafting, but also the philosophy and passion that made Mr. Itou's knives extraordinary. As Mr. Itou's trusted apprentice and successor, Mr. Nagata has absorbed every detail of the craft—from working with R-2 steel to selecting and shaping rare handle materials with the same discerning eye. Mr. Nagata is committed to continuing Mr. Itou's legacy, handcrafting each knife with the same meticulous attention to detail, the same pursuit of practical perfection, and the same artistic vision that defined his master's work. Every knife he creates honors the