Made in Japan.The chef's knife is the one knife no cook can be without. So if you like the looks of Kanso, the Shun Kanso 8" Chef Knife (SWT0706) is a must-have. This all-purpose knife is ideal for a wide variety of cutting tasks. The 8-inch length is perfect for preparing fruits, vegetables, proteins, and a wide variety of other foods. The Kanso Chef's Knife is based on its Asian counterpart, the gyuto. It offers a wider heel, a fairly flat profile toward the heelperfect for push cutsbut we also gave it a little belly from mid-blade toward the tip so that it can be gently "rocked" through fresh herbs or spices to produce a very fine mince. The tagayasan-wood handles are slightly contoured, enabling an easy and comfortable chef's grip while cutting. Shun also makes 8" Chef's Knives in their Classic , Classic Blonde , and Premier lines.