Makoto Kurosaki, brother of Yu Kurosaki, is a blacksmith from Echizen, Japan. He trained under the highly skilled blacksmith Hiroshi Kato. This line is forged from shirogami #2 (white #2) steel and cladded in suminagashi damascus with kurouchi finish. Lightweight and thin behind the edge with great fit and finish at this price. Fitted with hoo wood oval handle. AMAZING VALUE!