Bjorn Heiberg, the “Savior of the Japanese Knife”

Heiberg dreams of the day when there are wabōchō in kitchens around the world.

The Sakai wabōchō that first stole Heiberg’s heart.

Heiberg explains the allure of wabōchō using actual demonstrations.

Heiberg beams outside his Tower Knives Osaka store near Osaka’s landmark Tsūtenkaku tower.

The many wabōchō on display at Tower Knives Osaka all come with Japanese and English product descriptions.

Fujii Keiichi is a Master of Traditional Crafts, a certification accorded only to craftsmen with outstanding skills.

Craftsman Kobayashi Hiroki from Seki, Gifu Prefecture, demonstrates blade sharpening in-house.

The Osaka shop’s exterior.

Tower Knives Osaka, with the glass-fronted workshop in the rear.

Kobayashi says he owes Heiberg a debt of gratitude.

Kobayashi’s wabōchō are both incredibly sharp and beautiful to behold.