• Keijiro Doi: A Master's Legacy

  • Keijiro Doi, a Renowned Traditional Craftsman of Sakai City
    Keijiro Doi is widely known as a traditional craftsman born in Sakai City. Born in 1927, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Kazuo Doi, a renowned master craftsman, and at the age of 19, he embarked on the path of a blacksmith. His journey was one deeply rooted in the skills and passion passed down from his father.

  • Exceptional Craftsmanship and Acclaimed Works

    Keijiro Doi's handcrafted Japanese knives, including the yanagiba and kama-gata usuba, have garnered immense praise from professional chefs.

  • Recognized Contribution as a Traditional Craftsman

    In 1996, Keijiro Doi was officially recognized as a traditional craftsman by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, a testament to his skill and contribution as a master of his craft. His knives have become indispensable tools for chefs, transforming cooking into an art form.

  • Legacy of Craftsmanship and Continued Influence

    For over 70 years, the Doi family has produced high-quality handcrafted forged knives. Keijiro Doi's son, Itsuo Doi, has inherited and further refined these skills. As the third-generation master blacksmith, Itsuo has continued to preserve and advance the family’s craftsmanship. Keijiro Doi retired from active work in 2012 and passed away in 2017, but his skills and spirit live on in the hands of many apprentices and successors.

  • Tradition Passed into Your Hands

    By owning a Keijiro Doi knife, you become part of this rich history and craftsmanship. Every strike of the hammer embodies the heart and skill of Sakai’s master artisans, bringing new brilliance to your cooking and enriching your culinary experience.

Keijiro Doi

A Master's Legacy

  • Mr. Doi was born in 1927 and began his career as a blacksmith at the age of 19, following in the footsteps of his father, Kazuo Doi, a master craftsman in Sakai.
  • He was awarded the Blue Kiriba Award(青色桐葉賞) in the spring of 1997.
  • Mr. Doi retired in 2012 and passed away in 2017.
  • His knives are no longer being produced, making them extremely valuable.

Sakai City Traditional Craftsmen Collection: Keijiro Doi

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • All Japanese Knives from Sakai City

    1. High-quality Japanese Knive

    We offer knives crafted by craftsmen from Sakai City.

  • Honbazuke

    2. Genuine Sharpness

    To ensure you experience sharpness, we provide a free Honbazuke by our skilled craftsmen.

  • 3. Lifetime Knife Use

    Every knife comes with a free Saya(Sheath) for durability. We also provide paid after-sales services with Sakai City Japanese knife workshop.
Traditional_Craftsmen

Traditional Craftsmen of Sakai Uchihamono

600 years of history and craftsmanship

Traditional craftsmen are artisans who have mastered the craft of Sakai blades through years of dedicated apprenticeship. They are nationally recognized elite craftsmen tasked with preserving Japan's traditional crafts for contemporary times. To earn the title of traditional craftsman, they must undergo a rigorous examination process after at least 12 years of apprenticeship. Due to the stringent requirements, traditional craftsmen are exceptionally rare, with only 29 individuals holding this esteemed title in Sakai City.(As of May 2024)

Sakai City’s Traditional Craftsmen
Japanese_chef

Did You Know? The Secrets Behind Sakai Knives Chosen by 98% of Chefs in Japan

Explore the specialized craftsmanship and historical significance that make Sakai knives a favorite in Japan's renowned cutlery industry.

Do you know why Sakai knives are favored by many professional chefs?
Sakai_s_Declining_Japanese_Knife_Craftsmen

Sakai's Declining Japanese Knife craftsmen

Sakai's esteemed cutlery tradition, renowned for its sharpness and craftsmanship, is at risk with only a dozen blacksmiths remaining. Facing competition and declining interest, strategies such as exploring new markets and fostering youth interest are vital for survival. This situation underscores a broader challenge in cultural preservation. Supporting Sakai’s craftsmen is crucial to maintaining this legacy.

Sakai's Declining Japanese Knife Craftsmen
Knife_forging_proces

The Art of Forging: Crafting the Finest Japanese Knives

The article highlights the superior sharpness of traditional Japanese forged knives, attributing their quality to techniques derived from sword-making. These knives, including types like "Honyaki" and "Kasumi," benefit from a handcrafted process that ensures a denser structure and a finely tapered edge, outperforming many Western knives in sharpness

The Art of Forging

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • Moments of Forging Steel and Spirit

    Steel, when forged, becomes stronger and more resilient. However, this isn’t achieved by brute force alone. It requires precise control of heat, timing, and the practiced intuition of a skilled craftsman.

  • Interestingly, this process mirrors human growth. By facing challenges and continuously refining ourselves, our spirit, too, becomes unshakable and enduring. Failures and setbacks are much like the strikes of a hammer on steel—necessary blows to shape something greater.

  • Each handcrafted knife carries the strength of forged steel and the essence of a refined spirit. We strive to ensure that when it’s in the hands of its user, every slice resonates with the life and dedication embedded in its creation.

  • Forging steel and forging oneself—this cycle of dedication and growth is where the true joy of being a craftsman lies.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection