Crisis of Sakai Cutlery: Impact of Decreasing Blacksmiths and Approaches to Address the Issue
The Disappearing Sound of Hammers
In Sakai, a city once echoing with the sound of hammers on steel, silence is starting to take over. Fewer and fewer blacksmiths remain to carry forward a legacy that spans over 600 years.
But this is not just a local concern. It’s a pressing global question:
Will the next generation still be able to experience true craftsmanship—built on time, soul, and tradition?
A Quiet Crisis Unfolds
Once, more than 30 master blacksmiths forged blades in Sakai. Today, fewer than half remain. Experts warn that within two decades, the number could drop to just a handful.
The reasons are complex but familiar:
Mass production, automation, and a flood of cheaper imports have undermined the demand for hand-forged knives. Artisans struggle to earn a living, and their workshops grow quiet.
Can the Tradition Be Saved?
Despite the challenges, hope remains—and action is already underway.
Opening Doors to the World
Many blacksmiths and knife producers in Sakai are turning to global markets. Through e-commerce, handmade knives can now reach chefs, collectors, and culinary enthusiasts around the world who value authenticity and quality over mass production.
Partnering with Cultural Tourism
Sakai’s knife workshops are also becoming cultural destinations. Guided tours, hands-on sharpening experiences, and blacksmith demonstrations are helping visitors connect more deeply with Japanese craftsmanship—and may even inspire the next generation.
The Most Urgent Need: New Hands, New Hearts
A forged knife takes hours to complete. A master blacksmith takes years to shape.
Passing on this craft isn’t just about skill; it’s about trust, repetition, and passion shared across time. Without new apprentices, the chain of knowledge breaks—and once broken, it may never be restored.
What’s at stake isn’t just a technique.
It’s a cultural legacy, rich in beauty, patience, and integrity.
What You Can Do
Sakai’s knives have long served the world’s top kitchens. Now, the industry needs your awareness and support.
Here’s how you can help keep the craft alive:
・Buy direct from makers or trusted partners who work closely with artisans
・Share their stories—online or over dinner
・Visit Sakai, take a workshop, and feel the difference real craftsmanship makes
・Support educational programs and training opportunities for young artisans
Final Thought: A Blade Forged, A Culture Preserved
Sakai’s blacksmiths don’t just make tools.
They forge stories, relationships, and traditions—one blade at a time.
By recognizing their value and sharing their vision, we can help ensure that this extraordinary craft continues to inspire chefs, makers, and culture lovers across the world.
Let’s pass the hammer forward—while the fire still burns.
2 comments
Konnichiwa Geoff-san, I’m Toru From KIREAJI. Sorry for the late reply.
Thank you for your message from Australia. We appreciate your concerns regarding the Japanese knife industry.
As you pointed out, the issue of counterfeit knives labeled as “Made in Japan” being sold online is indeed serious. Such fraudulent practices could potentially deprive many Japanese bladesmiths of their livelihoods and have a significant impact on the industry. Moreover, the availability of these fake knives at lower prices undermines the demand for genuine Japanese-made knives in the market.
We agree with your suggestion that government trade authorities should take steps to prohibit these fraudulent practices. The circulation of counterfeit products poses a serious problem not only for consumers but also for the Japanese knife industry as a whole. We hope that appropriate regulations will be implemented to reduce illicit trading.
We also found your information about brands like HUUSK Japan selling counterfeit hand-forged knives to be intriguing. Such deceptive claims could have adverse effects on the entire industry. It’s crucial for consumers to seek quality and reliability, identify counterfeit knives, and support genuine Japanese-made knives.
As you rightly said, we too hope for the continued survival and further development of the Japanese knife industry. Recognizing the value of authentic Japanese-made knives and supporting them by paying attention to the origin and quality of products is essential. KIREAJI will continue to offer handcrafted Japanese knives from Sakai’s artisans to many customers. We would be grateful to hear your opinions in the future.
Best regards,
I’m writing from Australia… konnichiwa!
I see one of the major issues of the Japanese knife business being the number of knives being sold on sites such as Amazon and eBay as “Made in Japan”, when they’re actually being made in China (PRC). And of course, these counterfeit knives are usually sold at a fraction of the cost of genuine Japanese-made knives.
I believe that Japanese knifesmiths are losing a large proportion of their trade to these deceptive trade practises, but it seems that government trade authorities are not prepared to make this practice illegal in Australia, or the UK, USA, or elsewhere in the
Western world.
One of the worst offenders is a company selling under the “HUUSK Japan” brand name, and its many imitators. And, of course, again their knives are very poor quality, with third-rate steel, silly profiles (very un-Japanese!) and cheap, poorly fitted wooden handles. But… they’re selling in their thousands on sites all over the world.
Even worse, HUUSK is claiming—illegally—that their knives are individually hand forged, and undergo something like 130 steps to produce! I believe that their knives are stamped from steel strip, complete with a rolled “hammer” pattern on the resulting blank. For some reason, they then paint this pattern with black paint.
I can only sincerely hope that the Japanese knife industry survives, and maybe even expands if consumers wake up to the fact that any cheap knife means a Chinese knife.
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu,
Geoff.