Boston Flora

Tag: knives

  • Tuesday, March 5, 6:00 pm Eastern – Beyond the Blade: Japanese Knife Craftsmanship, Online

    Kentaro Hoshiba is a fourth generation blacksmith whose family has been supporting fishing and farming villages in Noto, Ishikawa, Japan since the Meiji period by polishing and selling knives. Their company, Fukube Kaji Corp. began in 1901 as traveling knife peddlers, selling and maintaining the vital everyday tools of housewives, farmers, and fishermen. Today they keep the tradition of knife polishing services alive through “Pochisupa,” their unique mail-in knife sharpening service, now with the help of online shipping. They are also currently working to expand business to the U.S., and launch their own knives, the Shinbu and Tafu. 

    Fukube Kaji and other companies are supported by Bunkei Corp., a consulting firm that aims to continue the culture of traditional Japanese craftsmanship into the 22nd century by providing guidance and resources to aid the transition into the modern age. 

    Our speakers will not only teach us about the precise art of Japanese knife making, but will also share about their traditions, companies, and current activities in Japan. This is a free, hour-long presentation with Q&A hosted on Zoom. Register at www.japansocietyboston.org

  • Wreath of the Day – Sharpest Knife in the Drawer

    During wreath making, we cut ribbon, we cut wire, we cut branches, we trim dried materials – we clip and snip at a furious pace, and by the end of the week our tools are dull and pitted. This season, wonderful neighbors Jim and Jennifer Hill, who own the fabulous KitchenWares by Blackstones store at 215 Newbury Street, played Santa and delivered over gift certificates for free sharpening. Because our tools were in storage and not accessible until just before we started, we decided to take advantage of this kindness at the end of the week, so that next year we will begin the season with the sharpest tools available.  We encourage you to visit https://www.kitchenwaresboston.com/ or, if you stop in for holiday shopping, take a moment to thank them for their generosity. Their sister store is Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, another spot we highly recommend. The wreath pictured below, with its abundance of lotus pods, pine cones, milkweed and peony pods, and other more exotic dried materials, would not be possible without good clippers.