Biography


Three centuries ago in ancient Japan, a young swordsmith's impeccable work earned him the position of swordmaker to a king. His speciality was in producing swords that were small enough to be carried by the king for self-defence or the grave act of harakiri. This young man spent all his waking hours focused on the production of these swords, which were the greatest in all the land and earned him the name 'Ittetsu' or 'One Iron'. He dedicated his life to swordmaking, perfecting his skills through hours of practice, locked away on his own quietly crafting an armoury for the king. This solitary work ethic was embedded in Ittetsu's DNA and the family's connection to iron was passed down from one generation to the next...

Born and raised in Yokohama, he relocated to London seven years after experiencing a turbulent period back home in Japan. Seeking solace with a relative, he fell in love with the capital and decided to up sticks for a new life in the UK.

It was his partnership with Jun that really propelled him into the world of underground house and techno. The duo spent every Sunday at Fuse, soaking up the sounds, the atmosphere and making a strong connection with the event's man with a plan, Enzo Siragusa. After each Fuse session, the pair would excitely return to their studio and imbue their music with inspiration from the notorious daytime parties. A natural order of events unfolded and Ittetsu handed his music to Enzo, who by this point had become a friend. He was welcomed into the Fuse family thanks to his penchant for solid beats with soul, or 'Ninja Beat' as he likes to call it.

By spending so much time on the dancefloor at Fuse Ittetsu realised the importance of injecting his music with a unique stamp and giving it a soul. Those weekly sessions laid down the foundation for his current output, resulting in tracks such as '1018', 'Sunny Side Up' and 'Gutterlove' – the latter two both made with fellow Fuse family member Luke Miskelly.

Throughout his journey so far Ittetsu has remained true to the ideals of his forefather, working in an organic manner – letting things take shape naturally, working hard but never forcing it – which has helped to establish a strong foundation for his career and universal respect for his art.

And so Ittetsu's legacy remains intact, from the creation of regal swords to the depth and precision of the beats composed by his present day incarnation. Long may the legacy continue....