Kenichi Shiraki

  • In Sakai’s knife tradition, one of the greatest legends is Kenichi Shiraki—now retired, yet forever present in every blade forged in his spirit.

    His mastery of Honyaki and water-quenching techniques made him an icon. Today, his apprentice Satoshi Nakagawa carries forward his legacy through Nakagawa Cutlery.

Sakai Traditional Craftsman Collection: Kenichi Shiraki

Kenichi Shiraki: Master of Sakai Forged Knives—and Mentor to a New Generation

  • One of Sakai's most revered blacksmiths, Kenichi Shiraki, dedicated his life to mastering Honyaki forging techniques—including the notoriously challenging water-quenching (Mizuyaki) of karbon steels like Shirogami (White Steel). Though now retired, his finely crafted blades remain rare treasures. His legacy lives on through his sole apprentice, Satoshi Nakagawa, who trained under Shiraki for 16 years and now leads Nakagawa Cutlery.

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.

Why Many Product Photos Show Only the Blade

At KIREAJI, every knife is made to order in Sakai, Japan. Photos show the blade before the handle is attached, allowing artisans to perfect the balance and edge for your specific order. Your knife arrives fully finished — tailored just for you.

Made-to-order Japanese knives

Global Delivery from Sakai

Across the world, discerning cooks seek authentic Japanese knives from Sakai — Japan’s legendary knife-making city with over 600 years of tradition.
At KIREAJI, we work alongside master artisans in Sakai to fulfill that desire, shipping genuine handcrafted knives directly from the workshop to kitchens worldwide.

Global Delivery from Sakai

Kenichi Shiraki: Upholding Sakai’s 600-Year Blade-Making Legacy

  • A Devoted Master and Hall of Fame Craftsman

    Certified as a Traditional Craftsman, Kenichi Shiraki devoted decades to perfecting Sakai's demanding Honyaki forging methods—including water quenching techniques for Shirogami (white carbon steel)—achieving mastery few could match.

  • A Rare Artisan’s Blade

    Shiraki’s hand-forged knives, especially those forged with Mizuyaki, are scarce and highly prized. They were crafted with meticulous attention to detail and are now extremely rare and collectible.

  • Passing the Torch

    For 16 years, Satoshi Nakagawa served as Shiraki’s sole apprentice, absorbing every nuance of the craft. In 2021, Nakagawa established Nakagawa Cutlery, embodying Shiraki’s techniques while shaping his own craft—ensuring the legacy remains living and active.

  • An Enduring Reputation

    Shiraki’s knives occasionally surface through discreet channels, often commanding exceptional prices due to their scarcity and reputation. Collectors and chefs alike revere his name, and rumors suggest subtle markings may distinguish his blades from others—a nod to their rarity.

The Master Craftsmen of Sakai Uchihamono

In Sakai, centuries-old techniques are carried forward by government-certified Traditional Craftsmen. Each knife is not just a tool but a living symbol of tradition, precision, and spirit—kept alive through their hands.

Sakai’s Traditional Craftsmen

Why Do 98% of Japan’s Chefs Trust Sakai Knives?

For over 600 years, Sakai has perfected a unique craft where each stage—forge, sharpen, finish—is mastered by specialists. This tradition makes Sakai the birthplace of Japan’s most trusted knives.

Why Do 98% of Japan’s Chefs Trust Sakai Knives?

The 98% Statistic: More Than a Number

According to the Sakai Tourism Bureau, “98% of Japanese chefs use Sakai knives.” This figure isn’t just a claim—it reflects the deep trust chefs place in Sakai’s centuries-old craftsmanship.

Sakai City Official English Site

Sakai’s Dwindling Masters: A Legacy at Risk

Once the heart of Japan’s finest cutlery, Sakai now has only a handful of blacksmiths left. With rising competition and fading interest among the young, new markets and fresh apprentices are vital to survival. Supporting these craftsmen means safeguarding a 600-year cultural legacy.

Sakai's Declining Japanese Knife Craftsmen

Satoshi Nakagawa

Satoshi Nakagawa, the sole apprentice of Kenichi Shiraki, carries forward the traditions and refined techniques of his master. After 16 years of training, he has emerged as a blacksmith of exceptional skill, crafting knives that honor the Shiraki legacy with precision and care.

Satoshi Nakagawa

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • Heart, Skill, Reality – The Essence of True Creation

    For me, craftsmanship is never just about mastering techniques. It is the union of three elements: Heart, Skill, and Reality. Only when these are in harmony can something of true value be created.

  • “Heart” means humility and respect—toward the steel, toward nature, and toward the unseen hands that brought these materials to me. It is about gratitude and the determination to draw out the very best from what has been entrusted to us.

  • “Skill” is forged through relentless repetition, through tradition and discipline carried forward over generations. It cannot be borrowed, and it cannot be rushed. It is earned only through years at the forge, sweat, and unyielding focus.

  • And then there is “Reality.” A knife is not complete when I lay down my hammer. It is complete only when it lives in the hands of a chef, when it slices into ingredients, when it becomes part of someone’s daily life. No matter how refined the technique, if the work does not enrich life, it is meaningless.

  • These three—Heart, Skill, and Reality—are inseparable. Without Heart, Skill is hollow. Without Reality, Heart and Skill drift without purpose. But together, they breathe life into steel, transforming it into a creation worthy of being passed to the next generation.

  • To those who read these words: I encourage you to reflect on these same three elements in your own life. Whatever path you walk, embrace creation with sincerity, sharpen your skills with persistence, and ensure your efforts serve others in reality. Even the smallest act, when born of Heart, Skill, and Reality, carries the power to change the world.

  • This is why I continue to forge. This is why traditional craftsmanship lives on.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

How Japanese Knives Are Made: The Sakai Tradition

VIDEO PROVIDED: JAPAN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS AOYAMA SQUARE (YOUTUBE)

  • Sakai Forged Blades — Six Centuries of Unrivaled Craftsmanship

    Loved by chefs around the world and trusted by 98% of Japan’s top culinary professionals, Sakai knives are more than tools—they are the living legacy of over 600 years of master craftsmanship.

  • At KIREAJI, we work directly with the Shiroyama Knife Workshop in Sakai, Japan, ensuring every blade is hand-forged, finished to perfection, and shipped straight from the workshop to kitchens across the globe. No middlemen. No mass production. Only authentic, artisan-made knives, crafted to elevate your cooking for a lifetime.