Hitoshi Masutani, the father of Ryusen founder, gained his recognition as the best blade polisher in 1948, after working for 47 years polishing knives. His son Hiroshi Masutani founded Ryusen Hamono in 1953. Hiroshi worked for 67 years sharpening knives at the company he founded, until his death in 2016. He has made Ryusen Hamono one of the leading knife makers in Japan. Hiroshi and his sons (3rd generation Masutani), pushed the boundary of traditional knife making skills by inventing new thermal treatment, blade polishing, press and welding techniques in order to bring new possibilities to blades. Ryusen Hamono knives have won Good Design Awards and have been used by many top chefs in France.