In the sweltering heat of July 2024, a a symphony of steel and culinary artistry was orchestrated with our annual Craftsmen Tour. From July 7-12, this multi-city affair brought together knife enthusiasts, culinary professionals, and curious food lovers across Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Spokane. The tour showcased the pinnacle of Japanese knife-making craftsmanship, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the world of master blacksmiths and the opportunity to experience the fusion of traditional techniques with modern culinary innovation.
The Essence of the Craftsmen Tour
Since its inception in 2017, the Craftsmen Tour has been a cornerstone event for Seisuke Knife, bridging the gap between the ancient art of Japanese knife forging and the dynamic culinary scenes of the US. This annual week-long event has grown to become a much-anticipated gathering, drawing crowds eager to witness the magic of blade creation and culinary mastery firsthand.
At the heart of the Craftsmen Tour were two esteemed Japanese blacksmiths: Yu Kurosaki and Yoshimi Kato. These master craftsmen, carrying centuries of tradition in their skilled hands, brought the essence of Takefu Knife Village to American shores. Their presence offered a unique opportunity for attendees to not only observe their craft but also to meet with the artisans themselves, gaining insights into the meticulous process of creating world-class culinary knives.
Meet The Craftsmen of ‘24
This year, the tour not only showcased the exceptional skills of master blacksmiths but also featured remarkable culinary artisans. Their combined expertise and creativity elevated the event to new heights. The synergy between the workmanship of knife making and the artistry of cooking created a unique and enriching experience for all. This tour featured the talents of:
Yu Kurosaki: Modern Master
Yu Kurosaki, recognized for a time as the youngest master blacksmith by the Japanese government, captivated audiences with his innovative approach to knife making. Kurosaki's work is a testament to the evolution of the craft, seamlessly blending traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. His unique blade designs, characterized by their distinctive patterns and exceptional functionality, drew admiration from both seasoned chefs and home cooking enthusiasts alike. Kurosaki brought along with him
Yu Kurosaki is a superstar blacksmith known for his blend of modern and traditional techniques.
Yoshimi Kato: Damascus King
Alongside Kurosaki stood Yoshimi Kato, a craftsman who assumed the mantle of his father-in-law's esteemed company in 2017. Kato's expertise in heat-treated metallurgy was on full display, with his renowned SG2 Black Damascus series garnering particular attention. His work exemplifies the perfect balance between honoring traditional methods and embracing cutting-edge materials and techniques.
Yoshimi Kato is famous for his striking knife designs and mastery of steel aesthetic
Chef Tu David Phu: Vietnamese-Cali Fusionist
Chef Tu David Phu brought his unique Vietnamese-California cuisine to the Craftsmen Tour '24. A first-generation Vietnamese-American chef with roots in Phu Quoc—an island renowned for its fish sauce—Phu added a distinctive flavor to the event. This was especially evident when he hosted a dinner at his Las Vegas restaurant, District One. Phu's culinary skills, honed in top establishments like Daniel and Chez Panisse, shone through in his demonstrations. His journey back to his Vietnamese roots, inspired by his mother and "the memory of taste," became a central theme and resonated deeply with attendees.
Born in Oakland, Chef Tu David Phu is an award-winning culinary icon, filmmaker, and ambassador of Vietnamese-American fusion cuisine.
Chef Wallace Wong: Six Pack Chef
Wallace Wong, known as the Six Pack Chef, brought his unique blend of culinary expertise and fitness knowledge to the Craftsmen Tour '24. As a chef, fitness athlete, and TV personality, Wong shared his innovative approach to combining culinary skills with fitness principles to promote a healthy lifestyle. Wong's inspirational journey extends beyond his personal health transformation—he's also renowned for his Guinness World Record-holding knife skills, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tour.
A renowned chef, social media personality, and entrepreneur, Wallace has appeared on various culinary shows and worked at some of the world’s finest restaurants.
Los Angeles: A Fusion of Art and Forge
The Craftsmen Tour kicked off with a bang in the vibrant city of Los Angeles on July 7. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo played host to the Tanzo: Art & Forge Expo, a celebration of Japanese craftsmanship that set the tone for the entire tour.
The JACCC's Toshizo Watanabe Exhibition Center buzzed with activity. Visitors were treated to a multi-sensory experience that went far beyond knife-making demonstrations. The event featured:
- Tetsugendo's samurai exhibition, offering a glimpse into the historical roots of Japanese blade craftsmanship
- A dynamic taiko drum show, infusing the atmosphere with traditional Japanese rhythms
- Live shodo calligraphy performances, showcasing another facet of Japanese artistic tradition
- SakéOne's premium sake tasting, paired with delectable bites
- Traditional tea ceremonies, providing a moment of tranquility amidst the excitement
- Kimono experiences, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in Japanese culture
- Family-friendly calligraphy and origami workshops, engaging visitors of all ages
A major highlight of the Los Angeles event was, undoubtedly, the live knife forging demonstrations by Yu Kurosaki and Yoshimi Kato. These masterful demonstrations drew crowds eager to witness the master craftsmen at work. The rhythmic sound of hammers striking hot steel, the intense focus on the craftsmen's faces, and the gradual emergence of razor-sharp blades from raw materials left an indelible impression on all who attended.
Another highlight was a record-breaking knife demonstration by Wallace Wong. He showcased his lightning-fast chopping skills, having set a Guinness World Record just a month earlier for the most celery slices in 30 seconds—an impressive 128 slices. After dazzling the audience with his speed, Wong upped the ante by repeating the feat blindfolded. We can report that he still has all 10 fingers.
Visitors had the unique opportunity to browse and purchase exclusive kitchen knives from Seisuke Knife, including special series crafted by Kurosaki and Kato. The ability to acquire these masterpieces directly from their creators added an extra layer of significance to each purchase, with many attendees leaving with not just a knife, but a piece of living history.
The Los Angeles leg of the tour concluded with a sumptuous five-course closing dinner, providing a fitting end to a day filled with cultural and culinary delights. The dinner, held in an elegantly decorated space that echoed the fusion of tradition and modernity seen throughout the event, was exquisitely prepared by the culinary masters Chefs Tu David Phu, Ono Matsumoto, Pete Duong, Angie Lee, and Wallace Wong.
Each course was a testament to the skill and creativity of the chefs. The menu featured decadent items such as delicate crudo, artfully presented oshizushi, melt-in-your-mouth A-5 wagyu with caviar, aromatic summer truffles with garlic noodles, succulent lamb saddle, and topped off with a sweet and tangy pineapple-merengue dessert. The carefully curated wine pairings and attentive service further elevated the dining experience, creating lasting memories for all attendees.
Dinnertime for event-goers provided an ideal environment for our diverse chefs in the kitchen to mingle and let their talents go wild for a memorable, delicious five-course service.
Las Vegas: Where Culinary Stars Align
The Craftsmen Tour continued its journey to the glittering city of Las Vegas on July 9. The newly opened District One Kitchen & Bar, helmed by award-winning Chef Tu David Phu, became the epicenter of the Tour’s festivities that night.
This stop on the tour was a testament to the seamless integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern culinary innovation. The event featured:
- Live knife demonstrations by Yu Kurosaki and Yoshimi Kato, showcasing their unparalleled skills
- On-site knife engravings, allowing attendees to personalize their purchases
- A special performance by Chef Wallace Wong, demonstrating his Guinness World Record knife chopping skills
- A curated menu of Asian BBQ and seafood prepared by Chef Tu David Phu
- Craft cocktails that complemented the culinary offerings
- Luxury food experiences featuring Tsar Nicoulai Caviar and Velarde Foods Truffles
- SakéOne sake pairings, enhancing the overall gastronomic experience
The Las Vegas event stood out for its unique blend of high-end culinary experiences and accessible knife craftsmanship. Attendees had the rare opportunity to witness world-class chefs utilizing the very knives being forged and sold at the event, creating a tangible connection between the craft of knife-making and its application in professional kitchens.
As if Chef Wallace Wong’s chopping skills weren't enough, he asked Yu Kurosaki to cover his eyes to further prove his point keeping everyone captivated.Chef Tu David Phu's involvement brought an additional layer of excitement to the event. His innovative approach to Asian fusion cuisine, prepared using Kurosaki and Kato's knives, demonstrated the versatility and precision of these master-crafted tools. The BBQ and seafood offerings became a canvas for showcasing the knives' capabilities, from the delicate slicing of sashimi-grade fish to the robust chopping required for BBQ preparations.
The Guinness World Record knife chopping demonstration by Chef Wallace Wong was a highlight of the evening, drawing gasps and applause from the audience. This display of extreme precision and speed underscored the importance of quality knives in professional kitchens and added an element of spectacle to the event.
We gathered with the chefs and blacksmiths for a toast at the penultimate stop in the tour along the western US.Spokane: A Grand Finale at Crave! NW
The Craftsmen Tour '24 reached its crescendo in Spokane, Washington, as part of the renowned Crave! NW food and drink festival. This final stop, held in Spokane Valley, provided the perfect backdrop for Yu Kurosaki and Yoshimi Kato to immerse themselves in the vibrant foodie scene of the Pacific Northwest.
Crave! NW, a premier culinary event in the Inland Northwest, offered a diverse array of experiences:
- Fresh seafood and meats grilled over open flames
- Homemade ice creams and artisanal baked goods
- A wide range of vegetarian options and ethnic cuisines
- Locally-inspired dishes showcasing the best of Pacific Northwest ingredients
- The 'Drinkalicious' experience, featuring regional beers, wines, spirits, and ciders
Amidst this culinary cornucopia, Kurosaki and Kato set up their display, showcasing and selling their exquisite kitchen knives. The juxtaposition of their traditional craft against the backdrop of modern culinary innovation created a unique atmosphere that captivated festival-goers.
Yoshimi Kato and Yu Kurosaki wowed crowds with their forging demonstrations, offering a striking glimpse into how their knives are made.
Visitors to the Seisuke Knife booth were treated to an up-close view of these master-crafted knives. Many stood entranced, wine glasses in hand, as they watched the young apprentices Mukai and Mukamura demonstrate their skills in knife sharpening and engraving. This passing of knowledge from master to apprentice, visible in real-time, added depth to the experience, illustrating the living nature of this ancient craft.
The presence of Kurosaki and Kato at Crave! NW was more than just a showcase of their products; it was a representation of the entire Takefu Knife Village and the broader Japanese knife-making tradition. Their participation in this chef-focused festival highlighted the integral role of quality knives in culinary excellence, bridging the gap between craftsman and chef.
Event-goers in Spokane had the exciting opportunity to mingle directly with the makers. Knife autographs and custom engravings done by the apprentices are frequented activities.
The Impact of Craftsmen Tour '24
Certainly, the Craftsmen Tour left it’s mark on the culinary communities of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Spokane. This journey celebrated the artistry of Japanese knife-making while fostering cultural exchange and culinary innovation. By bringing together master blacksmiths, renowned chefs, and food enthusiasts, Seisuke Knife created a unique platform for learning and inspiration, raising awareness for traditional techniques and forging connections between craftsmen and end-users.
The tour's impact extended beyond showcasing exquisite knives; it created cross-cultural culinary experiences that blended Japanese craftsmanship with diverse American cuisines. Aspiring chefs and knife enthusiasts gained valuable insights from world-renowned experts, while the events played a crucial role in preserving traditional crafts and fostering innovation. The success of the 2024 tour has set a new benchmark, promising even more exciting collaborations in the future.
As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all who made it possible. Our deepest thanks go to the master craftsmen, Yu Kurosaki and Yoshimi Kato, whose unparalleled skill and dedication to their art form were the cornerstone of this tour. We are equally grateful to the talented chefs who brought their culinary expertise to our events: Tu David Phu, Ono Matsumoto, Pete Duong, Angie Lee, and Wallace Wong. Your creativity and passion elevated every dish and demonstration. A special acknowledgment goes to our partners who enriched the tour experience: the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, SakéOne, Tetsugendo, District One Kitchen & Bar, Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, Velarde Foods Truffles, and the organizers of Crave! NW.
Lastly, we want to thank our attendees, whose enthusiasm and appreciation for craftsmanship made every stop on the tour truly memorable. Your support continues to inspire us and fuels our commitment to celebrating the art of Japanese knife-making. The Craftsmen Tour '24 will be remembered as a tangible connection to centuries of tradition and a glimpse into the future of culinary craftsmanship. It’s out hope that the tour will continue to inspire a new generation of chefs and craftsmen across America.
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