This 175 mm santoku carries a wa-handle with a dark ferrule and lighter wood grip, typical of mid-20th century Japanese kitchen knives. The kanji inscription “登録 元界作” suggests a smaller-scale workshop or regional smith, possibly producing for the post-war domestic market when registration of brand names became common. The blade steel is almost certainly carbon steel, forged in the traditional single-piece manner rather than clad, as is consistent with knives of this type and period. Its current condition shows age but also retains integrity for restoration.