Hitohira Nakagawa
Nakagawa was the last apprentice under Kenichi Shiraki, a craftsman regarded by many as a “blacksmith’s blacksmith.” He began apprenticing from a young age, learning directly under Shiraki before eventually taking on the mantle as head of Shiraki Hamono after Shiraki’s retirement. The workshop later became Nakagawa Hamono, where he continues to carry forward that tradition. A certified Dento Kogeishi, Nakagawa is also one of the few blacksmiths capable of forging White #1 honyaki, a notoriously difficult steel and style to execute at the highest level.
