• Tadashi Enami:
    Blending Tradition and Innovation in Japanese Knives

  • Tadashi Enami, a Master Craftsman of Sakai City
    Tadashi Enami is a renowned blacksmith from Sakai City, continuing a legacy of over 600 years in the traditional craft of Sakai knives. He is widely respected for his skill and ability to merge time-honored techniques with modern innovation in knife-making.

  • Exceptional Skills and Honors

    In 2003, Enami was recognized as a Meister by Sakai City, a title that reflects his exceptional craftsmanship in the industry. He also holds the prestigious title of Traditional Craftsman in Sakai's knife-making tradition, a further testament to his expertise and contribution to this centuries-old craft.

  • A Blacksmith’s Commitment to Quality

    As a master blacksmith, Enami is not only dedicated to his craft but also places a strong emphasis on the careful selection of materials. Each knife he creates is made from meticulously chosen materials, and forged with precision and care. When you hold one of his knives, you’ll experience the exceptional quality and attention to detail that defines his work.

  • Preserving Tradition While Innovating

    Enami’s workshop is a place where the traditional techniques of Sakai’s knife-making are preserved, but where innovation is also welcomed. He is constantly developing new tools and refining his methods, ensuring that his knives are both rooted in history and evolving with the times. This seamless blend of tradition and innovation is what makes his knives truly special.

  • A Leader in the Industry

    Enami’s mastery and innovative spirit have positioned him as a key figure in the Sakai knife-making industry. His knives are recognized not only for their exceptional quality, but also for how they elevate the standards of the entire industry, thanks to his status as a Meister and Traditional Craftsman.

  • Bringing Tradition and Innovation to Your Kitchen

    By owning a Tadashi Enami knife, you are welcoming the rich history of Sakai craftsmanship, along with modern innovation, into your kitchen. Each knife feels like an extension of your hand, enhancing your cooking experience and transforming everyday tasks into something truly special.

Tadashi Enami

Tradition Meets Innovation in Japanese Knives

  • Certified as a traditional craftsman in 2003 after passing a rigorous examination by the Sakai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Enami Cutlery Workshop, a blacksmith with over 600 years of tradition in Sakai.
  • As the fifth-generation traditional craftsman, Tadashi Enami has been sharing the techniques and philosophies of Sakai hammered blades, including forging, shaving, and quenching, with the world for over 30 years through hands-on experience.

Sakai City Traditional Craftsmen Collection: Tadashi Enami

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

  • The Spirit and Craft of Sakai Blades

    The traditional craft of blade-making in Sakai boasts a history of over 600 years. This art, passed down through generations of artisans, is a treasure we hold dear. While a blade may seem like just a tool, each piece embodies the skill, dedication, and soul of its maker, making it an indispensable part of daily life.

  • As a craftsman, my mission is to help people understand what it means to experience authentic quality. Unlike mass-produced items, Sakai blades offer a unique sharpness, an ergonomic feel, and a sense of familiarity that grows with time. These qualities can only be fully appreciated by using a blade crafted with meticulous care.

  • For instance, creating a single knife involves the collaboration of blacksmiths and sharpeners, each contributing their specialized expertise. Every artisan takes immense pride in their work, striving for perfection to bring Sakai blades to life. This process reflects the "warmth of human hands"—something machines can never replicate.

  • I invite everyone to pick up a Sakai blade and discover its unparalleled quality. There’s a special joy that comes from using such a tool, and I believe you'll connect with the stories of the artisans behind it. To understand true craftsmanship is to engage with not just the product but also the culture and lives of the people who created it.

  • The moment you hold a Sakai blade, I am confident it will bring a new sense of satisfaction to your life. This is the wish of every artisan and the tradition we are committed to preserving for future generations.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection