Making “Hamono” the Lingua Franca of the World

Like the majority of traditional industries in Japan, Banshu Hamono faces a shortage of new craftsmen to carry on the traditional art. It is commonly said that it takes 10 years to become a full-fledged blacksmith. If a new craftsman leader in the industry doesn’t emerge, then this long cultivated technique could disappear entirely in the near future. It is from these fears that our project found its beginning. However, our activities have been picked up by various media outlets bringing in more people visiting Banshu, creating awareness of the industry and region. Along with increase in the brand name power of Banshu Hamono, profit margins for craftsmen have increased, which in turn has finally resulted in successors poised to carry on the craft. As we begin to see the opening of overseas sales channels, we aim to make Hamono a household name all over the world, working together with production regions to sharpen our activities and overall goals.