About Yoshimi Kato - Second careers are often the best. I know of a burned-out chef, for example, who owns a few knife shops now. Then there's Yoshimi Kato, who left his job as the project manager of a construction company to become a blacksmith after marrying Hiroshi Kato's daughter.
Normally, it takes apprentices some 10 – 15 years to become pros, but Kato-san did it in just 5 years, and is now running the show. He forges most of the Masakage Kiri, Yuki, and Koishi knives that were once his father-in-law's domain. Kato-san also brings a very special level of professionalism and care to his customers’ orders, ensuring that each and every finished blade fully meets his exacting quality standards. 

About the Shape - Under utilized in the western kitchen, the nakiri’s flat blade is meant for the push/pull chopping of vegetables. Since the entire flat edge of the knife touches the cutting board at once, you won't be turning the vegetable into an 'accordion', still connected like a paper doll after you've cut them. The added weight of the blade allows it to fall through food more easily while you chop, so the knife does more of the work for you! Masakage nakiris are made taller than the average nakiri so they last longer and work better for folks with large hands.