r/japaneseknives

240mm gyuto collection

Concept: Representation of essential regions (and regional philosophy), steel type (essential, not comprehensive representation) and prestigious (in my view) makers. This is NOT a collection of the rarest knives or legendaries but rather a cohesive philosophy under the lens of my preferred gyuto size, with my intro knife (kramer) representing the bridge between western and eastern philosophies (western, typically 210mm, larger blade height, steel type, etc.). Oh, and my kramer I applied a custom acid etch to it!

Table below represents the above arrangement left to right. Arranged (mostly) categorically by finish

The collection isn't intended to demonstrate what ten different knives can do. It's intended to demonstrate what ten different Japanese knifemaking traditions can do with essentially the same knife

#	Knife	Steel	Region / Tradition
1	Bob Kramer by Zwilling Meiji 210mm	FC61	Seki, Gifu
2	Sakai Kikumori / Satoshi Nakagawa 240mm	Ginsan #3	Sakai, Osaka
3	Yu Kurosaki Kokusen Ei 240mm	Aogami Super	Takefu/Echizen, Fukui
4	Yoshimi Kato Minamo 240mm	SG2/R2	Takefu/Echizen, Fukui
5	Tetsuhiro Kanko 240mm	SG2	Sanjo, Niigata
6	Yoshikazu Tanaka Damascus 240mm	Shirogami #1	Sakai, Osaka
7	Takeshi Saji Rainbow Damascus 240mm	VG10	Takefu/Echizen, Fukui
8	Nigara Hamono Anmon 240mm	SG2/R2	Hirosaki, Aomori
9	Moritaka Hamono Ishime 240mm	Aogami #2	Yatsushiro, Kumamoto
10	Hatsukokoro Kumokage 240mm	Aogami #2	Tosa, Kochi

I’m trying to identify the maker/blacksmith of this 165 mm Nakiri I bought from Tsubaya (つば屋) in Tokyo.
I’ve attached several photos of the knife, the maker’s inscription, the box/label, and the packaging.

What I know from Tsubaya:
Nakiri
165 mm
White Steel #2 / Shirogami #2
Made in Niigata Prefecture
Purchased from Tsubaya in Tokyo
Tsubaya told me that the specific maker information is confidential

The blade has a distinctive layered/forged-looking surface pattern. It does not appear to be a conventional hammered/dimpled Tsuchime finish.
I have also searched Tsubaya’s current and older listings but haven’t been able to find this exact knife.
There is Japanese writing on the box and an inscription on the blade, but I don’t trust my ability to read the kanji correctly, so I’m intentionally not transcribing them here. I’d really appreciate it if someone familiar with Japanese knife makers could read the writing from the original photos.

Does anyone recognize this maker or knife?
In particular, I’d love help with:
Reading the inscription on the blade.
Reading/translating the writing on the box.
Identifying the Niigata maker/blacksmith.
Finding an old Tsubaya listing or archived page for this exact knife.

I’ve included all the photos I have so far. Any leads would be greatly appreciated!