A Yoshiaki Fujiwara (Kato) Collection

[khashy]

Happy new year!
Posted this on my IG and wanted to share here too.
I have been mesmerised by the master’s work from the beginning of my kitchen knife journey all those years ago and feel privileged to have been able to handle these blades.

Link to IG post

Original photo without filters:

 

[Jville]

I knew you had a lot of Katos but…

 

[James]

Shiny 401k. You've made some good buys and returns are through the roof

 

[Hassanbensober]

Beautiful collection. Wondering if he does 270 ku gyutos? Do you have or know if they are out there?

 

[Wdestate]

All Hail Kato king khashy!

 

[jonnachang]

Awesome collection!

 

[gcsquared]

You’ve got so many of them it almost feels like they’re mass produced crap lol

1 kato is no longer unicorn… THIS is the real unicorn!

 

[Vancouverguy]

Looks like western handled katos are more rare. . . definitely would like to see them up close in person!

 

[khashy]

Thanks everyone and apologies for the horrible photo - by the time I had finished taking the knives out, I had run out of daylight and it’s impossible to take a decent photo with spot lights.
I’ll try to take an updated photo with proper lighting if I ever get the house free of a toddler for long enough!

 

[Corradobrit1]

Thanks everyone and apologies for the horrible photo - by the time I had finished taking the knives out, I had run out of daylight and it’s impossible to take a decent photo with spot lights.
I’ll try to take an updated photo with proper lighting if I ever get the house free of a toddler for long enough!

Toddler in the house? Don't worry, happy to take one for the team and babysit your Kato's at this difficult time.

 

[Geigs]

Is there a collective noun for a flock of Katos?

 

[krstf]

Impressive collection! Any chance for some individual portraits, especially of the more uncommon knives?

 

[Dan-]

Is there a collective noun for a flock of Katos?

A klowder?

 

[khashy]

Impressive collection! Any chance for some individual portraits, especially of the more uncommon knives?

Sure, what would you like to see?

 

[krstf]

The deba(s), also the dammys, thanks in advance!

 

[Corradobrit1]

The deba(s), also the dammys, thanks in advance!

And the dragon

 

[khashy]

The gigantic deba is made by Kato-san’s uncle. Here it is:

Deba

I don’t have photos of all the dammys at hand, but here’s what I could dig up that’s got some clarity.

Here are the 210s (dammy and Kikuryu):

Here are some of the 240s:

And yes, I know I’m the king of terrible photography

 

[K.Bouldin]

The blade on the top row 4th from the right with no handle is the one that I’m curious about.
All Hail the Kato King!

 

[jedy617]

Where does one even find a dama kato? Lol

 

[Luftmensch]

The gigantic deba is made by Kato-san’s uncle. Here it is:

Deba

Interesting... That is the odd duck of the collection.

Yes Kato-san makes yanagiba (and beautiful ones at that).... but he generally doesnt make single bevels. At least not that I am aware of .... no usuba, deba, kiritsuke/mukimono or unagisaki...

 

[Luftmensch]

Where does one even find a dama kato? Lol

Flux capacitor. 1.21 gigawatts of power. 88 miles per hour.

 

[krstf]

And the dragon

There are some pictures on jns website iirc.

 

[krstf]

Thanks for the pictures @khashy !

 

[khashy]

Flux capacitor. 1.21 gigawatts of power. 88 miles per hour.

unfortunately this is exactly correct

 

[khashy]

The blade on the top row 4th from the right with no handle is the one that I’m curious about.
All Hail the Kato King!

That’s a tall petty/very short gyuto. Handle is off because it needs some work. Good eye!

 

[khashy]

Is there a collective noun for a flock of Katos?

The correct term is an Exaltation of Katos

 

[Boynutman]

All this time I comforted myself thinking you only did Ashi Honyakis...

 

[mc2442]

I immediately went to a murder of Katos.

 

[khashy]

All this time I comforted myself thinking you only did Ashi Honyakis...

I was fortunate enough to figure out exactly what I liked and concentrate on it early on when I started this hobby

 

[krstf]

Was wondering which one in your collection is the oldest and how old it is @khashy .
Afaik kato started knifemaking in the late 70's but Im guessing most around here would be from the last 10 years i.e. since jns had been carrying them.?