The Spirit Behind KIREAJI

  • The essence of Japanese cuisine begins with "cutting."

  • As embodied in the word "kappo" (割烹), the art of cutting has been fundamental to Japanese food culture. However, what we pursue is not merely "sharp knives." What we strive for is true "cutting quality" - the kind that maximizes the flavor and texture of ingredients and elevates the overall refinement of a dish.

  • This is the spirit embodied in our name, KIREAJI.

  • Cutting quality is not only a crucial element supporting a chef's technique but also the key to enriching the dining experience for those who enjoy the food. Each slice of an ingredient, cut with precision, determines the quality of the dish and shapes its ultimate flavor.

  • At KIREAJI, by pursuing excellence in cutting quality, we aim to expand the possibilities of cooking and enrich food culture. A knife is not just a tool; it is an irreplaceable partner that brings a chef's passion and skill to life.

  • May your culinary creations be guided to new heights by the finest cutting quality.

  • KIREAJI delivers supreme cutting performance with this spirit at heart.

  • Note: The name KIREAJI combines "KIRE" (切れ, meaning "cutting" or "sharpness") and "AJI" (味, meaning "taste" or "flavor"), embodying our belief that superior cutting quality leads to enhanced flavor and overall dish quality.

KIREAJI's Purpose

  • At KIREAJI, our mission is to connect you with the essence of Japanese tradition through our exquisite knives and to ensure the legacy of Sakai City's craftsmanship endures for generations.

  • White_Steel_2_Honyaki-Mizuyaki_Yanagiba_360mm-Mirror_Polished_both_sides

  • Providing High-Quality Knives

    We are dedicated to bringing the charm of Japanese traditional craftsmanship to the world with our meticulously handcrafted, high-quality knives. Each piece is a testament to the skill and dedication of our artisans, designed to enhance your culinary experience.

  • Preserving Traditional Craftsmanship

    We are committed to preserving and passing down the traditional skills and craftsmanship of Sakai City. By supporting these artisans and their invaluable techniques, we contribute to the ongoing development and evolution of this rich heritage, ensuring it thrives well into the future.

  • Through our dedication to quality and tradition, KIREAJI aims to create a lasting connection with our customers, artisans, and the community, fostering a shared appreciation for the art of Japanese knife-making.

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

japanese_knife_made_in_Saka

1. Exceptional Japanese Knives

Unmatched Craftsmanship and Sharpness

Our knives, crafted by Sakai City's master artisans, combine traditional techniques with carefully selected materials, delivering unrivaled sharpness and durability.

2. Genuine Sharpness

Experience the True Essence of Precision

We offer free Honbazuke sharpening performed by skilled craftsmen, ensuring that you experience the authentic sharpness of a true Sakai knife.

3. Lifetime Knife Use

Knives Crafted to Last for Generations

Each knife comes with a free Saya (protective sheath) for added durability. We also offer after-sales service through a trusted Sakai City workshop to maintain your knife's performance.

About Products

Three Commitments in Our Products

  • 1. Where the Artisan's Soul Meets Every Blade

    Have you ever wondered about the creator behind your knife? KIREAJI knives are not mere tools; they are pieces of art meticulously crafted by master artisans from Sakai City. Each KIREAJI knife carries the soul of its creator, a testament to centuries-old tradition and unparalleled skill.

    The manufacturing process of high-end Japanese knives revolves around the exceptional craftsmanship of artisans. Through forging, quenching, and sharpening, these artisans apply their extensive experience and superior skills to bring out the knife's maximum performance.

    In the forging process, high-temperature steel is hammered and shaped to create the knife's basic form. The subsequent quenching process, involving precise temperature control, heats the knife and rapidly cools it to achieve the perfect balance of hardness and toughness.

    Finally, during the sharpening stage, the artisans hand-sharpen the blade to achieve astonishing sharpness.

    Through these meticulous steps, high-end Japanese knives attain unparalleled sharpness and exceptional durability.

    Traditional Craftsmen 

  • 2. The Allure of KIREAJI Knives: Craftsmanship Beyond Material

    What processes did your knife go through to be created?

    KIREAJI knives are meticulously handcrafted one by one by skilled artisans in the traditional city of Sakai. However, their charm isn't solely in the steel they're made from. What truly determines a knife's quality is not just the choice of steel, but how carefully the three crucial processes—forging, heat treatment, and sharpening—are performed.

    Even when the same steel is used, the quality of the knife can vary significantly. For example, Japanese knives typically go through up to 20 detailed steps before heat treatment. To reduce costs, this number can be cut down to 12 steps, while a more meticulous process may involve 30 steps. In this way, differences in the manufacturing process can greatly affect the final quality of the knife.

    At KIREAJI, we don't just offer tools; we provide "partners" that enrich your cooking experience. Carefully crafted by skilled artisans, KIREAJI knives are valuable tools that you'll cherish and use for years to come.

    Why not choose a special knife to accompany you in your culinary journey? With a KIREAJI knife, let's explore a richer world of cooking together.

    Material of Knife 

  • 3. Refining Quality While Keeping Costs Down: The KIREAJI Challenge

    Our motto is "Refine quality while keeping costs down."

    To achieve this seemingly contradictory goal, we have chosen to work directly with traditional knife workshops in Sakai City.

    We make sure to invest properly in materials like steel and pay our artisans fairly, while eliminating intermediaries. This allows us to reduce unnecessary costs such as middleman fees, extra labor costs, and transportation expenses.

    Additionally, we do not spend any money on advertising.

    As a result, we are able to provide high-quality, cost-effective Japanese knives.

    Our Thoughts on Pricing 

What we cherish

KIREAJI Four Principles

  • Full Transparency in All Information

    1. Tradition and Craftsmanship

    At KIREAJI, we hold traditional techniques and meticulous craftsmanship as our core values. Our skilled artisans pour their heart and soul into every single knife, crafting each piece with utmost care and precision. The time-honored skills and passion passed down through generations are infused into every KIREAJI product, elevating them into one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

    Through KIREAJI products, we aspire to share the inspiring beauty of tradition and the allure of expert craftsmanship with our customers. Every moment spent using a KIREAJI knife is designed to be special, reflecting the dedication and care we invest in each creation. The joy and wonder you feel with every use—that is the promise of KIREAJI.

    Differences Between Handcrafted Knives and Mass-Produced Factory Knives 

  • 2. Customer First

    At KIREAJI, we prioritize customer satisfaction above all else. Our goal is to create products that are not only easy to use but also high-performing, addressing the small inconveniences and challenges people encounter in their daily lives.

    We see customer feedback as an invaluable treasure. Every suggestion and opinion is taken to heart, driving us to continuously improve our products. By sincerely listening to our customers, we dedicate ourselves to crafting even better solutions that meet their needs.

    Making cooking more enjoyable and more convenient is KIREAJI’s mission. We pour our hearts into every product, hoping that each customer will smile and think, “I’m so glad I chose this.”

    Using KIREAJI Knife (Tsukiji OMAKASE Head Chef & Owner) 

  • 3. Preserving Culture,Shaping the Future

    KIREAJI is dedicated to honoring local traditions while creating new value. With a deep respect for craftsmanship, we strive to offer products that are sustainable for the future.

    Our creations blend traditional techniques with innovative designs that meet the demands of the modern world. By combining age-old methods with contemporary advancements, we aim to serve as a bridge between the past and the future.

    We go beyond simply making products—our efforts focus on how we can support local culture and uplift the livelihoods of artisans. Through our products, we aspire to help customers experience the essence of history and progress, embarking on a journey of shared growth with us.

    Crisis of Sakai Cutlery: Impact of Decreasing Blacksmiths and Approaches to Address the Issue 
  • Win-Win for All

    4. Win-Win for All

    KIREAJI builds win-win relationships with customers, producers, artisans, and society, aiming to bring happiness to everyone involved and have a positive impact on future generations.

    We deeply understand our customers' needs and strive to provide products that truly enhance their experiences. Our goal is to ensure that our products not only bring joy to our customers but also provide benefits to producers, artisans, and the broader community.

    Our aspiration is for everyone involved to feel happiness, and for our efforts to have a positive impact on future generations. Why not explore a richer culinary world with KIREAJI?

    Win-Win for All 

The Story Behind Our Logo

  • The KIREAJI logo holds deep significance.

  • Are you familiar with Mt. Fuji? It is the highest mountain in Japan. Have you heard of Diamond Fuji? This is a miraculous and spectacular event when the peak of the mountain and the sun overlap.

  • This powerful image of connection inspired our logo at KIREAJI. Just as Diamond Fuji creates a bridge between earth and sky, we aspire to be a bridge connecting the artistry of traditional Japanese knives with passionate cooks around the globe.

  • Today, Japanese craftsmanship stands at a crossroads. While we face challenges at home—fewer artisans and declining domestic demand—we're witnessing a growing appreciation worldwide for the unparalleled quality of Japanese knives. Through every knife we carefully select, we're not just delivering a tool; we're sharing a piece of Japanese culture and craftsmanship with the world.

  • Our logo embodies this mission. It's a symbol of our commitment to unite the time-honored skills of Japanese craftsmen with the global community of cooking enthusiasts who value true quality. When you see the KIREAJI logo, remember: it represents our promise to preserve and share the legacy of Japanese knife-making, one blade at a time.

  • In every knife we offer, you'll find the same dedication to perfection that makes Diamond Fuji so special—a moment of perfect harmony between tradition and the modern world.

The Subsidy Program for Successor Training: Paving the Way for Sakai’s Future

  • Sakai City’s traditional industry, uchihamono (forged blades), boasts a legacy cherished by professionals worldwide. However, since the collapse of Japan’s economic bubble, the industry has faced a severe shortage of successors to carry on its craftsmanship. To tackle this challenge, Sakai City launched the Subsidy Program for Successor Training in 2009.

  • This program provides financial support to small and medium-sized businesses within designated industries in Sakai. For every new hire, the program offers a subsidy of up to ¥50,000 per month for a maximum of three years. From 2016 to 2020, a total of 129 individuals utilized this initiative, of whom 69 were young talents aged under 30. These figures reflect a promising trend, with the younger generation stepping up to preserve and innovate Sakai’s rich traditions.

  • This initiative is more than just financial aid—it represents hope for the future of Sakai’s traditional industries. The skills honed by master craftsmen over centuries are now being passed down to the next generation, who bring fresh perspectives and the potential for innovation. Furthermore, this program highlights the success of public-private collaboration, where the combined efforts of the city and local businesses yield tangible results.

  • Sakai is a city where tradition thrives, and the younger generation is embarking on a journey to carry that legacy forward. The Subsidy Program for Successor Training serves not only as a financial lifeline but also as a bridge to sustainable growth rooted in community and heritage.

  • This is not merely about preserving history; it’s about building a future. Through this bold initiative, Sakai City is lighting the way for the next chapter of its proud and storied history. Let us spread the word about this remarkable effort to ensure the traditions of Sakai remain vibrant and impactful for generations to come.

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

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • Tradition is not a relic of the past—it is the pride of craftsmen that carries into the future.

  • When we speak of traditional crafts, many focus on their history and ancient techniques. While those aspects are essential, for us artisans, tradition is a living pride of the present and a continuous journey toward the future.

  • We inherit the skills and wisdom passed down by our predecessors, but preserving them isn’t our only goal. We constantly explore new materials, techniques, and forms that align with modern life, refining tradition to make it relevant today. Tradition has endured because each generation of artisans adapted it to meet the needs and desires of their time.

  • When someone holds a piece of traditional craftsmanship, I hope they feel not only its beauty and functionality but also the stories woven into it. These stories bridge the past, the present, and the future. Passing down this living tradition to the next generation is our greatest pride and responsibility.

  • Tradition is a vibrant, evolving culture. As artisans, we will continue to nurture and sustain its spirit for years to come.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

  • Be Cautious with Inexpensive Knives

  • Buying a cheap knife may mean that the steel used is of low quality. Low-quality steel tends to lose its sharpness quickly, which can ultimately reduce the efficiency of your cooking tasks.

    At KIREAJI, we provide authentic Japanese knives crafted by trusted craftsmen from knife-making workshops in Sakai City. Each knife is handcrafted with care, ensuring you receive a reliable and high-quality product that brings peace of mind.