Welcome to TETSUFUKU.

My name is Hiroshi Urata. I established TETSUFUKU as an officially recognized international selling agency to connect the living heritage of Japan's master blacksmiths directly with passionate professionals and collectors worldwide.

My journey and devotion to these tools were forged through three deeply personal encounters during my years interviewing artisans for the premier Japanese journal "Zasshi Niwa" (currently "NIWA") and the documentary series "DEKIRU! Shokunin".

✍️ Journalist & Curator of Japanese Craftsmanship

Beyond operating this store, I am deeply embedded in the preservation and documentation of Japan's ancient forging arts. As a specialized writer and researcher, I have spent years entering historic hidden workshops to document the lives and elite techniques of master blacksmiths.

My documentations and insights have been featured in premier Japanese craft media, including:
• "Zasshi Niwa" / "NIWA" (雑誌庭 / 庭NIWA) — Japan's most respected historic journal dedicated to traditional Japanese gardens and landscape architecture (View my article archive here: NIWA Archive).
• The "DEKIRU! Shokunin" Series — A highly regarded documentary chronicle spotlighting legendary traditional Japanese artisans (View the feature archive here: DEKIRU! Shokunin).

1. Connecting Culture: My Encounter with Junichi Takagi

The first spark was meeting the late Junichi Takagi, revered as one of the last master Chona (traditional adze) blacksmiths. When I interviewed him for "Zasshi Niwa", I asked him why he continued to swing his heavy hammer at such an advanced age. His answer was beautifully simple: "Because if we forge enough truly good objects, our culture will connect to the future."

He proved this by successfully replicating an ancient Edo-period adze purely from museum artifacts. He taught me that as long as a physical "masterpiece" remains, and a dedicated blacksmith exists to decipher it, any culture can be saved from extinction. To protect these master creators, I realized we must sell their work through authentic channels at a fair price, allowing their craftsmanship to survive.

2. A Compact Cosmos: My Encounter with TOBISHO

The second turning point was discovering TOBISHO, also during an interview for "Zasshi Niwa" (now "NIWA"). Holding their pruning shears for the first time, I felt I was holding a "compact cosmos"—a flawless universe of balance and sharpness. I spent hours speaking with the late master Yasuhito Tobitsuka. He was a man of few words, soft-spoken, radiant with a warm smile, much like an ideal father.

To hear such a humble, honest artisan pour his soul into explaining the meticulous ingenuity hidden within those shears—no one could remain unmoved. It felt like destiny. I vowed to bring Tobisho’s world-class tools to the global stage directly, eliminating unnecessary middlemen margins so the world could experience their true value.

3. The Men Behind the Steel: Our Authorized Lineup

Finally, my mission was solidified by the master blacksmiths I met through my work with "Zasshi Niwa" and "NIWA", who generously granted me permission to represent them internationally. Watching them daily, standing before the roaring forge, hammering raw steel and mastering the fire, I knew I had to act.

TETSUFUKU stands as a direct bridge to these living legends. We maintain strict, official partnerships to ensure you receive 100% authentic tools straight from the anvils of:

• TOBISHO (飛庄)
• Izumimasa (源泉正)
• KANETAKA (金高)
• Sasaoka (笹岡)
• KONDO (近藤)
• Hinoura (Chiyo) (日野浦/槌の音)
• KISUKE (貴輔/間中)
• YASUHIRO (安広)

Thank you for supporting the living heritage of Japan's master blacksmiths. I am honored to bring their masterpieces to your hands.