The Art of the Edge - The KIREAJI Story

  • We launched our online store in March 2023, and since then, many customers have chosen our products. However, the journey has not been smooth sailing. There were more than a few times when we felt, "If this continues, the company will go bankrupt...!"

  • We were able to overcome these crises thanks to our customers who chose KIREAJI. Japanese knives are not a cheap purchase. Even so, we wanted our customers who are considering our products to know the story and passion behind KIREAJI.

  • It’s a bit long, but we hope you enjoy reading it when you have the time.

From Sushi Master to Knife Sharpening Artisan

In 2018, I turned the page from being a sushi instructor in Tokyo's Tsukiji to embarking on a new challenge in Toronto. My passion had always been bringing joy to customers through sushi.

Sharpening_a_knife

In 2020, leveraging those skills, I launched a knife sharpening business in Toronto. Within just one year, I had sharpened over 100 knives, gaining many repeat customers. What became apparent was a growing demand for high-quality knives. Day by day, more customers asked, "Could you sell us good knives?"

Kenshiro_Azuma

A Destined Encounter with Sakai Knives

The first thought that came to my mind was Sakai knives, the pride of Japan. Did you know? They're essentially the holy grail of knives, used by over 90% of Japanese chefs. However, I was troubled by the market flooded with counterfeits and imitations, preventing the true value of authentic knives from being properly recognized.

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  • Traditional Craftsmanship in Crisis

    Meanwhile, Japan's knife industry faces a severe crisis. The market is shrinking due to population decline, and more critically, we're seeing an aging workforce of craftsmen with few successors. Decades ago, there were over 30 blacksmiths in Sakai; today, only about 10 remain. In 20 years, there might be just five. Japanese knives, each crafted with meticulous care - this traditional artistry is on the verge of disappearing.

  • KIREAJI's Mission - Bridging Tradition and Future

    In March 2023, we launched our online store, "KIREAJI." Our mission was clear: to be the bridge between Japan's shrinking knife market and the growing global demand. The journey hasn't been smooth sailing. We've faced numerous business crises, often wondering, "Can we really continue?"

  • However, supported by customers worldwide seeking authentic sharpness, we've been able to persevere. Japanese knives are not an inexpensive purchase. That's precisely why we want to share the passion and vision behind KIREAJI with you.

  • Looking Forward

    Despite our initial struggles with computer operations, we've come this far driven by our desire to share the excellence of Japanese knives with people around the world. Nothing brings us more joy than enriching our customers' lives through genuine blade quality.

  • Connecting traditional craftsmanship with global demand to create a win-win relationship - this remains KIREAJI's unwavering aspiration.
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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

KIREAJI Knives: Made in Sakai

All the knives I handle are made in Sakai. We deliberately do not handle knives from various regions of Japan. We carefully select and introduce knives from Sakai City, which 98% of Japanese chefs use.
Therefore, we have partnered exclusively with Shiroyama Japanese Knife Manufacturing, a traditional knife-making workshop in Sakai City, to provide our services worldwide through a direct sales scheme.

Collaboration: Sakai City Offical Site

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

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    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.