The Legacy of Yuzan — A Hidden Master Whose Blades Still Live Today

  • November 14, 2025.

  • For many people around the world, a Japanese knife is more than a tool.
    It is a bridge — connecting cultures, philosophies, and the quiet hearts of craftsmen who devote their lives to steel.

  • Recently, we experienced a moment that reminded us why KIREAJI exists in the first place.
    A customer from overseas shared a powerful reflection about a knife forged by Yuzan, a legendary honyaki craftsman from Sakai whose work is no longer produced today.

    Their message was simple, but deeply moving:
    even among dozens of artisan-made Japanese knives — including several honyaki —
    the blade forged by Yuzan stood out as extraordinary.
    It carried a presence, a depth, a soul that could be felt through the food it touched.

    Those words were not just a compliment to a knife.
    They were a tribute to an artisan whose life was spent in quiet dedication.

  • Who Was Yuzan? -The Last Master of a Vanishing Art

    Yuzan was the father of Shogo Yamatsuka, one of Sakai’s leading honyaki masters today.
    He dedicated more than 40 years to the rare technique of mizuyaki honyaki,
    a method so demanding that only a handful of craftsmen in Sakai could attempt it.

  • Honyaki is forged from a single piece of high-carbon steel,
    hardened using the same principles as a Japanese sword.
    Just a slight variation in heat can cause the blade to crack —
    a reminder that true mastery often requires risking failure again and again.

    Yuzan chose to work exclusively with honyaki.
    He never compromised.
    His philosophy was simple:

    “A blade must carry the truth of the person who made it.”

    It has been more than 20 years since he passed away.
    Because of this long aging period — and the unique composition of the older White Steel he used —
    his blades have matured into something truly irreplaceable.
    The steel has tightened naturally over decades, creating qualities no modern material can replicate.

    His son, Shogo Yamatsuka, continues to carry forward not only the techniques,
    but also the spirit his father left behind —
    the courage to keep challenging oneself and the sincerity to remain honest to the craft.

  • A Moment That Touched the Craftsman’s Heart

    We recently shared with Shogo that there is a customer overseas who has chosen
    three knives in a row,
    all forged by his father Yuzan —
    a Mukimono, a Deba, and now a Yanagiba.


    When he heard this, Shogo smiled with genuine happiness.
    He asked us to send his warmest regards,
    and expressed how deeply grateful he was that someone across the world
    felt the spirit of his father’s work so clearly.


    It was a beautiful moment —
    a craftsman in Sakai quietly moved by the appreciation of someone thousands of miles away.

  • A Mission Becoming Reality

    This experience reminded us of something important:

    “Connecting customers around the world with Japanese craftsmen.”
    This is the mission of KIREAJI — and in moments like this, we feel it coming to life.

    A knife crossing borders,
    a craftsman’s spirit crossing generations,
    and a shared understanding bridging cultures.
    It is exactly why we continue this work.
    And to everyone who feels the soul within these blades —
    from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Yuzan

  • In Sakai’s storied tradition of blade forging, one name stands as a testament to purity of technique: Yuzan.

    A master of the elusive Mizuyaki Honyaki method, he crafted knives admired for their rarity and craftsmanship. His legacy now lives on through his son, Shogo Yamatsuka.

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • In Pursuit of the Perfect Knife

    A knife is not merely a tool—it is a mirror that reflects the soul of the chef and an expression of respect for the ingredient itself.

  • In the forge, we craftsmen pour our hearts and souls into every blade. Steel is heated, hammered, and refined through fire, then brought to life by sharpening it to perfection. This process demands unwavering focus—there is no room for compromise. For the truth of our work is revealed the instant the blade meets the chef’s hands, and ultimately, the ingredients.

  • I will never forget the words of a customer who once told me, “When I first filleted a fish with this knife, it felt as though I could hear the voice of the ingredient.” Hearing that gave me unparalleled joy. It reminded me that a knife is not just for cutting—it is a bridge, connecting the chef with the spirit of nature.

  • When people hear the words “traditional craft,” they may think of something old-fashioned, rigid, or distant. But in truth, tradition exists to enrich daily life. A finely crafted knife can make cooking more enjoyable, bring smiles to the table, and create unforgettable moments.

  • I encourage you to seek out your own “perfect knife.” When you find it, it will open a new world of discovery and joy, transforming the way you cook and deepening your connection to the craft.

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

    1. Forged in the Legacy of Sakai

    From Sakai City—Japan’s renowned birthplace of professional kitchen knives—each blade is crafted by master artisans with over six centuries of tradition. Perfectly balanced, enduringly sharp, and exquisitely finished, every cut carries the soul of true craftsmanship.

  • 2. Thoughtful Care for Everyday Use

    Every knife includes a hand-fitted magnolia saya for safe storage. Upon request, we offer a complimentary Honbazuke final hand sharpening—giving you a precise, ready-to-use edge from day one.

  • 3. A Partnership for a Lifetime

    A KIREAJI knife is more than a tool—it is a lifelong companion. With our bespoke paid aftercare services, we preserve its edge and beauty, ensuring it remains as precise and dependable as the day it first met your hand.