The history of Kyo Hamono (Kyoto cutlery) dates back to the Heian period, when the imperial capital moved to Kyoto. Skilled blacksmiths who moved to the new capital found ready access to essential materials – including good soil from Fushimi, Narutaki whetstones, Tamba charcoal, Sanin iron sand, and clean water – and Kyoto soon became a leading center for metalsmithing and cutting tools. Because Kyoto was also home to a wide variety of crafts, cooking, and flower arranging traditions, cutting tools were developed for specialized applications.