Career:
Born in Saitama. Started to learn wazao crafting at the age of 15 at Masuda Wazao store. He had a blank of two years due to military service but finished his training in 5 years and began his own business when he was 23.
Story:
He specialized in jointed rods and made beautiful Tanago-sao and Mabuna-sao for reasonable prices. His iron-brands differ depending on years: 『孝(KOH)』 or 『竿孝(SAOKO)』 without any frame around the 1960's, 『孝作(KOSAKU)』 with a frame after 1967, and also used 『竿孝作(SAOKOSAKU)』 with a frame for a short while. He also used different symbols depending to the clients.