Mokuren, Japanese Knives that are Accessible to All

After collaborating with a Kyoto-based artisan to create a lamp made from paper and fabric, Elise Fouin embarked on a project in 2019 with Yutaka Yazaki, an eighth-generation master forger at Ubukeya, to design two sets of knives. One includes a paring knife and a small cleaver, and the other comprises six table knives. 

‘The idea was to create a knife that visitors from overseas could take home with them. Lots of tourists visit the Ubukeya shop but don’t necessarily have the means or the need to buy a Japanese knife that is often very long, that comes at a certain price, and that is intended for professional use’, explains the graduate of the Ecole Boulle in arts and crafts and design, who is no stranger to the world of tableware as she works for the chefs Michel and Sébastien Bras. 

Showcasing craftsmanship

Elise Fouin spent a week in Tokyo meeting Yutaka Yazaki and his son in order to discover and understand their production process so she could propose sketches that respected their craftsmanship. ‘I wanted to stay true to the aesthetic code for Japanese knives, made from very solid magnolia wood, and using beige rather than black horn because it’s rarer. The design remains minimal but rounded, to keep it ergonomic when engaging with objects while also being lightweight’, Elise Fouin explains.  

This collaboration also enabled Ubukeya to attract a new customer base through these sets, which are a new product for the company. The knives can be purchased in the Ubukeya shop, located in Tokyo’s Ningyocho district.

More information about Elise Fouin’s work can be found on her website.

The Ubukeya shop also has an official website.
Address: 3-9-2 Nihombashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0013