Hyottoko Artesanía
Hyottoko opened in the western part of Asturias more than a decade ago. It is the name of a Japanese mythological character and means “guardian of the forge” (火 Hi, fire and 男 Otoko, man).
There, knives are made, metal is worked, and things are forged. Santa Eulalia de Oscos is the place; Jorge Román and Keiko Shimizu are the inhabitants, the craftsmen. Four hands that, with good training, care, technique, and passion, continue the metalworking tradition of Los Oscos and Taramundi.
The one was born in the very center of Castile. The other was born in the middle of Tokyo Bay. Life brought them together in “green Spain”, among mountains, where fire, the forge, and the shine of metal seem to shine more.
Let's see what Jorge, the knife-making craftsman, tells us about his way of living and his work:
Hello Jorge, when did you know that you wanted to dedicate yourself to making high-quality cutlery?
It was in the summer of 2003 in Nontron (France), at a cutlery fair, where I had the opportunity to see very high-quality cutlery for the first time, and that was when I decided to make this type of cutlery.
Do you have any models that you like the most from your catalog?
The truth is that I don't have a special preference for any particular piece but for all of them.
Working in a mountainous area, with a marked character, tradition, nature, and silence, does it inspire you when creating your works?
It really does. I feel very fortunate to live in a biosphere reserve, which is already sufficiently inspiring. If you add to that that cutlery past and more specifically, the creative capacity of those first artisans in the area, it is what inspires me the most and encourages me to continue creating.
Do you have any hobbies outside the workshop?
I don't have much free time these days, to be honest. I was a DJ at one time, and I'll definitely take it up again on another occasion in the future.
Is it more demanding for you to work on the blade or the handle?
The blade, without a doubt. Not only does it have to be aesthetically pleasing, have the correct geometry and adequate proportions, but it also has to be heat treated correctly depending on the type of steel and the use it will be put to.
Do you receive orders from abroad? Where has the furthest order come from?
Yes, of course. I receive orders from California, Switzerland, France, Belgium... The furthest order at the moment is from Japan.
What synergies and motivations do you find in your day-to-day workshop with Keiko?
Coming from two different cultures, different points of view arise in the face of challenges, and new ideas emerge from this particularity which means that we are constantly growing.
You have traveled to Japan several times to train and learn new techniques. When customizing pieces, how important is the impeccable finish of your products to you?
Yes, a lot. In steel, for example, the mirror-polish finish that I apply improves its protection capacity against rust. Also, a product that is taken care of in detail and pampered in its finish is given even more beauty.
Our previous protagonist, Aquí Se Hacen Santos(Miguel Ángel Tapia) left a question in the air. Can you answer it? It is this: "What have been the reasons that have led you to decide to dedicate yourself to your profession?"
The reason for choosing cutlery is that I have always found it to be a very attractive profession: using water, fire, and air to create objects, which are practical in principle but which, in addition, with determination and passion, can be transformed into beautiful objects, and all the history and mystery that this work carries over time, made me end up dedicating myself to this.
Do you have a favorite place in Asturias?
The Picos de Europa, I love it. It's a fascinating place.
How do you see Spanish artisanal cutlery in the next twenty years?
It's difficult to make a long-term forecast. There is currently a boom in amateurs, some of whom are trying to become professionals. If this momentum continues over time, expectations are encouraging, but it won't be easy for this trend to take hold.
Can I ask you to leave us a question for the next protagonist?
Yes, “What do you think artisans and crafts contribute to today's society?”
