Yamato Keikokusha Co., Ltd., which handles media business in the mountaineering and nature field within the Impress Group (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hirofumi Ninomiya), has published "The God of Ice Axes - The Story of Toichiro Yamauchi: A Solitary Craftsman Who Supported Modern Japanese Craftsmanship and Mountaineering History" on January 19, 2026.
This book traces the life of master craftsman Toichiro Yamauchi, who supported the mountaineering world from the early Showa period and was honored as "The God of Ice Axes."
Born in Aomori, Yamauchi was a blacksmith who became captivated by the charm of ice axes in Sendai and devoted himself to their production. With his unique sensibility of "listening to the voice of iron" and the strict self-discipline that "making inferior products would indirectly kill the mountaineers who buy them," the ice axes he created—known as "Yamauchi's ice axes"—supported numerous historic ascents behind the scenes, including the first ascent of Manaslu in 1956.
Mountaineers who entrust their lives to their tools, and a craftsman who responded to that trust with his life. In an era where efficiency is prioritized, this is a book that questions the "proud spirit of a solitary craftsman." On the 60th anniversary of his death, the essence of Japanese craftsmanship is published here.
About Toichiro Yamauchi
Born in 1890 in Aomori Prefecture. Worked as a machinist at the Metal Materials Research Institute of Tohoku Imperial University. In 1924, made his first ice axe. In 1926, left Tohoku Imperial University and established his own workshop in Sendai. In 1930, became the world's first to commercialize ice axes made with nickel-chrome steel. In 1949, Akira Matsuto had a mountain accident on Mount Yari while using a Yamauchi ice axe. In 1952, presented an ice axe to the Crown Prince (current Emperor Emeritus). In 1956, Yamauchi's ice axes were used in the ascent of Manaslu. In 1957, presented one to Prince Takamatsu. In 1965, delivered his last ice axe. Died in 1966 (aged 75). In 1996, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death, the Sendai City Museum held an exhibition titled "Two Mountain Pioneers Sendai is Proud Of" featuring Yamauchi and Yuko Maki.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: From Aomori to Sendai
Chapter 2: Working as a Blacksmith in Sendai
Chapter 3: Making the First Ice Axe
Chapter 4: Yamauchi No. 1 is Completed
Chapter 5: World's First Commercialization of Nickel-Chrome Steel Ice Axes
Chapter 6: Dark Days Under Wartime Conditions
Chapter 7: Yamauchi Ice Axes Surpass 2,000 Units
Chapter 8: Reaching the Age of 70
Chapter 9: Moving to Oikoi Residence
Chapter 10: Farewell to Toichiro Yamauchi
Appendix: After Toichiro Yamauchi's Death
Afterword
Author Profile
Takao Kudo was born in Aomori City in 1953. After graduating from university and working at a publishing company, he developed his writing career in newspapers and magazines. Received awards including the Mainichi Children's Novel Excellence Award and the Grand Prize at the Guide Dog Sabu Memorial Literature Award. His books include "The Definitive Edition: Mysteries of the Mountains - Mountains as Another World," "Solo Hiking Techniques," "Learning Mountaineering Techniques from Matagi," "Matagi Strange Tales," "The Definitive Edition: Mountain Hut Owner's Fireside Stories" (Yamato Keikokusha), "Mountain Past and Present Stories" (Tenyu-jin), "Mountain Walks Viewing Mt. Fuji," "Continued: Mountain Walks Viewing Mt. Fuji," "36 Mountains to Climb While Viewing Mt. Fuji" (Shogakukan), "Rules of Mountain Walking," "Rules of Mt. Fuji" (Shinchosha), and others. Until 2024, served as a lecturer (non-fiction theory, etc.) at the Department of Literature, College of Arts, Nihon University for approximately 20 years.
Publication Information
Book Title: "The God of Ice Axes - The Story of Toichiro Yamauchi: A Solitary Craftsman Who Supported Modern Japanese Craftsmanship and Mountaineering History"
Author: Takao Kudo
Release Date: January 19, 2026
Price: 2,420 yen (2,200 yen + 10% tax)
Specifications: 46-size paperback / 300 pages (4 color frontispiece pages)
ISBN: 978-4-635-34056-4
