Meeting Japan’s most appreciated engraver Katsuo Iura’s work was one of Katsuya Fujimoto's most inspiring moments in his life as a craftsman. He immediately felt a strong connection with him through his work.

 

Katsuo Iura stepped into the world of engraving in 1962 and worked as the right-hand man of the late Master Shirou Ogawa. The name of Katsuo Iura became popular amongst the gun and rifle world when he was commissioned to engrave John Wayne’s famous Peacemaker. Shortly after, he opened the doors of his own private studio in Tokyo in 1972.

 

To this day, Katsuo Iura strictly engraves only by hand, ringing a pleasant tapping sound throughout the studio with his chisel and hammer.