Our Story

  • The Spirit of Sakai, in Your Hands

    “Where can I find a truly great knife?”
    This simple question inspired the beginning of KIREAJI. In a world where authentic craftsmanship is becoming rare, people everywhere still long for blades with soul. That is why we bring you knives forged in Sakai, the heart of Japanese tradition—delivered with care, connecting timeless craft to kitchens across the globe.

Our Story — From the Edge of Tradition to Your Kitchen

  • “Can a knife really change your life?”
    I never asked myself that question—until I turned fifty. For most of my younger years, a knife was just a tool. Nothing more. But later in life, I came to realize something deeper: knives carry power. They carry stories.

  • In March 2023, I launched KIREAJI, an online store devoted to authentic Japanese knives. The first six months passed in silence before our very first order arrived. It felt like an eternity, and I wondered if anyone would ever truly see the value in what we offered.

  • But those who chose KIREAJI knives recognized something beyond sharpness. They felt the soul behind each blade—the centuries of craft, the countless hours of care, the quiet dedication of the artisans.

    This is the story of how it all began.

From Sushi Chef to Knife Sharpener

My journey started with sushi. In Tokyo’s Tsukiji, I taught the art of sushi-making, sharing Japanese food culture day after day.

In 2018, I moved to Toronto with a dream: to bring this culture to the world. At first, it was sushi that connected me with people. But then, unexpectedly, it was a knife that changed my path once again.

100 Knives, 100 Stories

When the pandemic halted my in-person classes in 2020, I turned to knife sharpening. One friend’s knife became another, and another—until I had sharpened more than 100 knives in a single year.

Each blade told a story. The worn edge, the aged steel, the handle shaped by years of use—they reflected a person’s way of life. And each time I returned a knife, I heard the same question:

“Where can I find a truly high-quality Japanese knife?”

The Birth of KIREAJI

The answer was clear: people weren’t just looking for sharpness. They were searching for authenticity.

Outside Japan, the market is filled with mass-produced “Japanese-style” blades that mimic the look but lack the soul. I wanted to change that. I decided to deliver the real thing—blades forged by true artisans, filled with history, spirit, and pride.

That decision led me back to Sakai, a legendary city where knives have been crafted for over 600 years. There, I partnered with the Shiroyama Knife Workshop, where each blade is made with care and integrity, never quantity over quality.

From forging and heat treatment to sharpening and handle-fitting, every knife passes through the hands of dedicated craftspeople. Each step preserves not only performance but also the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.

KIREAJI: A Brand Born from a Single Question

  • KIREAJI began with a simple question asked by over a hundred people:
    “Where can I find a truly high-quality Japanese knife?”
    In a market flooded with imitations, the need for authenticity became clear.

    Rooted in 600 years of Sakai tradition, KIREAJI partners with true artisans to deliver blades shaped entirely by hand—not products, but vessels of craftsmanship and human stories.

Ⅰ. The True Meaning Behind the Name “KIREAJI”

  • “KIREAJI” is a uniquely Japanese word. It goes far beyond simply being “sharp.”
    It describes how a knife cuts, the sensation it creates, and even how it enhances flavor.
    This refined sensibility is what inspired me to name our brand KIREAJI—because I wanted to share not only Sakai’s knives, but also the very essence of Japanese culture.

  • Why Not Just ‘Japanese Knife’?

    When I launched our online store, many suggested naming it “Japanese Knife” to improve search results. But I chose otherwise.
    Because what I wanted to deliver was not an algorithm-friendly keyword, but a philosophy—craftsmanship, artistry, and spirit.
    KIREAJI is not about chasing clicks. It is about telling a story worth discovering.

  • Led by Belief, Not by Algorithms

    In today’s digital age, countless websites are reshaped to follow Google’s rankings. But I asked myself:
    “Are we still sharing meaning—or just reacting to numbers?”
    KIREAJI follows a different path. We exist not to be optimized into relevance, but to inspire those who seek authenticity.

  • Sharing “KIREAJI” With the World

    Our knives are more than tools. They awaken the senses, elevate cooking, and reshape the way food is experienced.
    At the heart of it all is the philosophy of KIREAJI—the spirit of Japanese cutting culture.

    By sharing that spirit with the world, we are not simply selling knives.
    We are carrying Japanese culture into the future.

    And that is why our journey will always be guided by the name: KIREAJI.

Ⅱ. The KIREAJI Logo — More Than a Symbol, a Story of Harmony

  • Have you ever witnessed Diamond Fuji?
    It is the breathtaking moment when the sun aligns perfectly with the peak of Mt. Fuji. A rare phenomenon that happens only a few times a year—where earth and sky unite in perfect harmony.

  • That miraculous balance inspired the KIREAJI logo. Just as Diamond Fuji brings two forces of nature together, our mission is to bridge the centuries-old craft of Japanese blades with passionate cooks around the world.

  • Today, Japanese knife-making stands at a crossroads. Skilled artisans are aging, and the domestic market is shrinking. Yet beyond Japan, appreciation for authentic Japanese blades has never been stronger.

  • Each knife we deliver carries more than sharpness. It is a cultural ambassador—crafted in Sakai’s tradition, refined for modern kitchens, and destined to connect people across borders.

  • The KIREAJI logo reflects this promise. It is not just branding—it is a legacy passed from hand to hand, blade to blade.

  • When you see our logo, know that it represents the rare beauty of alignment: a perfect meeting between tradition and the world that now welcomes it.


  • The Meaning Behind the KIREAJI Logo

  • The KIREAJI logo is inspired by Diamond Fuji,
    a rare moment when the sun aligns perfectly with Mt. Fuji’s peak.
    This alignment symbolizes how KIREAJI connects cooks, artisans, and cultures.

    Below it, the blade represents our purpose:
    carrying Japan’s knife heritage into the future through knives crafted entirely by hand.

Ⅲ. Sharing the True Spirit of Japanese Knives with the World

  • While living in Toronto, I discovered a surprising truth:
    many knives labeled “Made in Sakai” are not truly forged by Sakai’s master artisans. They may look convincing, but the difference becomes clear the moment you hold one. A genuine Sakai knife reveals itself in its unmatched sharpness, enduring strength, and perfect balance in the hand.

  • One of our readers, Mr. G from Australia, expressed it best:
    “Countless knives claim to be ‘Made in Japan,’ yet few are created by real Japanese craftsmen. I’ve felt the disappointment of buying a blade that looked authentic but lacked the soul and quality of the true thing.”
    It is voices like his that inspire our mission at KIREAJI.

    Voices from Readers on the Blog 

  • We have partnered with the Shiroyama Knife Workshop in Sakai, a forge renowned for honoring centuries-old traditions while embracing thoughtful innovation. Sakai itself is a legendary city where knife-making has been refined for over 600 years—a place where heritage and mastery live on in every blade.

  • Each knife we deliver is not just a tool. It is meticulously handcrafted, carrying the spirit of the artisan and the legacy of Sakai’s timeless craft.

    At KIREAJI, we don’t simply sell knives. We share an experience—a living connection to tradition that transforms cooking into art.

  • When you choose KIREAJI, you hold more than steel.
    You hold the soul of Sakai’s artisans—the promise of true craftsmanship, delivered to your kitchen anywhere in the world.
Global Delivery from Sakai

Ⅳ. Bridging Tradition and the Future

  • KIREAJI was founded with a mission: to carry Japan’s timeless knife-making heritage into the hands of a new generation worldwide.

  • In Sakai, the legendary city of blades, more than 600 years of tradition faces a profound challenge. Master blacksmiths are aging, successors are few, and what was once a thriving community of artisans has dwindled to a precious few. Yet in every workshop, the fire of craftsmanship still burns—quietly, but with unwavering pride.

  • What we offer at KIREAJI is not just steel and edge. Each knife is a living story—shaped by generations of skill, passion, and artistry. From the hammer of the blacksmith to the hands of the sharpener, every detail carries the soul of Sakai.

  • When you hold a KIREAJI knife, you hold more than a tool. You hold a bridge—connecting the heart of Japanese artisans with kitchens across the world, linking past to future, tradition to innovation.

  • These blades are not just instruments; they are enduring testaments to human dedication, cultural legacy, and the spirit of true craftsmanship.
Crisis of Sakai Cutlery: Impact of Decreasing Blacksmiths and Approaches to Address the Issue

Ⅴ. Looking Ahead — Staying True to Our Mission

  • At KIREAJI, we are still writing the first chapters of our story. But every step we take is guided by the same mission: to honor tradition while sharing authentic Japanese craftsmanship with the world.

  • Right now, we are working hand in hand with the Shiroyama Knife Workshop in Sakai on a new series of blades, while also preparing educational content that helps cooks everywhere sharpen with confidence and care.

  • But above all, we make this promise:
    We will never lose sight of our beginnings.

  • Every knife we deliver is one we believe in—a blade that carries heritage, craftsmanship, and a piece of our soul.

  • Because a kitchen is more than a place to cook. It is where you create, unwind, and live your values. And for those who feel the same, KIREAJI is here as your partner—bringing you not just a tool, but a quiet transformation. A knife that becomes part of you.

  • Toru I
    Founder, KIREAJI
    Former Sushi Chef, Knife Sharpener, and Lifelong Knife Enthusiast

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • KIREAJI Is More Than Sharpness—It Is the Life Within a Blade

    When most people hear KIREAJI (切れ味), they imagine a knife that cuts with ease.
    But to us craftsmen, true KIREAJI means how a knife interacts with the ingredient, the chef, and ultimately the dish.

  • A finely honed blade does more than slice cleanly—it preserves the natural fibers of vegetables, protects the delicate texture of fish, and draws out the hidden flavors within every ingredient. The difference is not only seen, but tasted.

  • And yet, the best KIREAJI is never absolute. It changes depending on who is cutting, what is being cut, and what dish is being created. A razor-sharp edge may be essential for sashimi, while a slightly more forgiving blade may be wiser when working with bones. The art lies in finding harmony between blade, ingredient, and purpose.

  • As artisans, when we forge and sharpen, we are not simply making a “sharp knife.” We are striving to create a partner that helps you bring out the soul of your cooking. That is the true meaning of KIREAJI—and the spirit we dedicate to every blade.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

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.