• Tatsuo Ikeda :
    Master Craftsman Whose Knives Embody Skill and Passion

  • Tatsuo Ikeda was the older brother of Miwa Ikeda, president of the Traditional Craftsmen's Association, and a master craftsman who dedicated his life to the art of blade-making in Sakai. As the third-generation head of Ikeda Cutlery Manufacturing, a family business with over 110 years of history, he devoted himself to preserving and passing on traditional techniques into the modern era.

  • Each knife crafted by Mr. Ikeda was personally and meticulously forged by his own hands, from the clay tempering to the final hardening process. This attention to detail ensures that each knife embodies his exceptional skill and spirit, creating a product that is not just a tool, but a work of art that evokes a sense of wonder every time it is used.

  • Sadly, Mr. Ikeda has passed away, which means the knives currently available on the market are the last of their kind. Their rarity makes them even more valuable. Owning a Tatsuo Ikeda knife is about more than just having a tool—it's about welcoming the peak of Sakai's traditional craftsmanship and history into your home.

  • Each knife carries the mastery and passion that Mr. Ikeda poured into his work, enhancing your culinary experience to new heights. With these knives becoming increasingly rare, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Japan’s finest blade-making heritage.

  • Don’t miss your chance to own a Tatsuo Ikeda knife—a masterpiece of ultimate quality that will be cherished for generations.

Tatsuo Ikeda

Master Craftsman Whose Knives Embody Skill and Passion

  • 1954: Began his journey as a blacksmith.
  • 1970: Received approval from the Agency for Cultural Affairs for sword making.
  • 1975: Succeeded as the 3rd generation head of the family following his father's retirement.
  • 1985: Certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry.
  • 1993: Awarded the Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency Award for developing the Mon-Tanren technique.
  • 2009: Honored with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays, by the Emperor of Japan.

Sakai City Traditional Craftsmen Collection: Tatsuo Ikeda

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_chef17

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

  • Don’t Fear Failure—It’s the Foundation of Success

    The phrase "Failure is the stepping stone to success" is not just a comforting adage; it’s a profound truth. In the world of traditional craftsmanship, we know this better than anyone. Mastery of any craft requires countless failures along the way.

  • Take lacquerware, for example. The thickness of the lacquer, the timing of application, and the drying process all determine the final outcome. There were countless times when I had to redo my work, faced cracking during drying, or simply felt crushed by my lack of skill. But it was through these failures that I learned the subtleties—when to apply, how much pressure to use, and how to read the material.

  • Failure may sting in the moment, but it is also the doorway to discovery. It gives us the invaluable opportunity to understand where we fall short and how to improve. Each mistake is a seed, and with time and effort, it grows into the knowledge and skill that sustain us in the future.

  • So, when you face challenges and setbacks in your own endeavors, don’t shy away from failure. Embrace it, analyze it, and let it guide you to your next step. With persistence, those failures will eventually transform into the blooming flowers of success.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection