• Satoshi Nakagawa:
    The Youngest Traditional Craftsman in History

  • At the heart of Sakai's historic knife-making world stands Satoshi Nakagawa, who achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest certified Traditional Craftsman. After 16 years of rigorous apprenticeship under master craftsman Kenichi Shiraki, he has developed impeccable skills and creativity while continuing to pursue innovation while preserving tradition. His high-quality knives, crafted with extraordinary precision and speed, captivate chefs worldwide. His pursuit of excellence knows no bounds, from developing original patterns like "Enmon Bokuryu" and "Genbu Bokuryu" to mastering the advanced technique of Mizumoto-yaki. At just 30 years old, Nakagawa's vision extends beyond his Traditional Craftsman certification—he aims to elevate Sakai's 600-year-old knife-making legacy to new heights. Through his young master's hands, the future of Japan's proud traditional craftsmanship is being forged today.

  • 1. Distinguished Career

    • Completed 16 years of apprenticeship under master craftsman Kenichi Shiraki
    • Established Nakagawa Hamono in April 2021
    • Certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Sakai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2022 at age 30
    • Achieved the unprecedented accomplishment of becoming the youngest Traditional Craftsman in Sakai's knife-making industry

  • 2. Technical Excellence and Innovation

    • Possesses top-tier skills in Sakai, masterfully working with diverse steel materials
    • Developed unique patterns "Enmon Bokuryu" and "Genbu Bokuryu", bringing fresh innovation to tradition
    • Mastered the advanced technique of Mizumoto-yaki, pursuing deeper technical expertise
    • Creates knives of exceptional quality with unprecedented precision and speed

  • 3. Craftsman's Philosophy

    • Preserves Sakai's 600-year knife-making tradition while pursuing innovation
    • Demonstrates unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail in every knife
    • Seeks to merge functionality with artistry, pursuing beauty in every aspect from blade geometry to patterns
    • Pioneering the future of Japanese traditional crafts through knife-making

  • 4. Worldwide Recognition

    • Earned tremendous trust from top chefs both in Japan and internationally
    • Demonstrates reliable technical expertise meeting the demands of both Japanese and Western culinary professionals
    • Contributes to industry development as a young leader in Sakai's knife-making community
    • Enchants culinary professionals worldwide with creations that blend tradition and innovation

  • 5. Vision for the Future

    • Continuously challenges new possibilities as a young Traditional Craftsman
    • Committed to sharing Sakai's proud knife-making culture with a global audience
    • Preserves traditional essence while pursuing technological innovation
    • Showcases the excellence of Japanese craftsmanship to the world through knife-making

  • Satoshi Nakagawa’s knives are the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Crafted with the highest level of skill, his knives not only deliver superior performance but are also works of art. Once you experience his craftsmanship, you’ll be captivated by the precision and beauty of his creations.

Satoshi Nakagawa

The Youngest Traditional Craftsman in History

  • Satoshi Nakagawa is a young traditional craftsman and blacksmith in Sakai City.
  • He was an apprentice under Kenichi Shiraki, a renowned bladesmith, and inherited the master's workshop and traditional techniques.
  • At the age of 30, his craftsmanship in producing high-quality knives was recognized, and he was officially certified as a traditional craftsman by the Sakai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2022.
  • He produces blades that combine strength and beauty, utilizing a variety of steel materials.
  • Nakagawa is sought after by top chefs, both Japanese and Western, and plays a pivotal role in supporting the industry.

Sakai City Traditional Craftsmen Collection: Satoshi Nakagawa

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

  • Passing the Flame, Forging the Future – The Challenges and Passion of a Master Craftsman

    In Sakai, the art of knife-making is a collaborative effort. Each knife passes through the hands of specialized professionals, each contributing their expertise to create a masterpiece. My role in this process is blacksmithing—shaping, forging, and refining steel. This craft demands the ability to read the steel, control the fire's intensity, and make precise decisions moment by moment.

  • I still remember the first time I forged a knife. With every strike of the hammer, I felt the steel respond—it was exhilarating. At the same time, I was humbled by my own inexperience and the depth of the craft. What may seem like a simple act of hammering metal involves countless decisions, techniques, and years of practice. Mastery doesn’t come overnight; it takes decades of dedication.

  • Occasionally, visitors come to my workshop to observe the process. Seeing their astonishment and admiration as they watch the forging process reminds me of my responsibility to preserve and pass on this tradition. When visitors try their hand at heat-treating and feel the intensity of the forge, their awe reaffirms my pride as a craftsman.

  • “There’s always room to grow.” This belief drives me forward. Every knife I forge carries a piece of my soul. I hope these creations will not only serve their users but also inspire the next generation to take on new challenges. As I face the fire and steel, I push my limits every day.

  • Steel is alive. If you can listen to its voice, no challenge is insurmountable. I strive to craft knives that bring out new possibilities for their users—knives forged with dedication and imbued with life.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection