About KIREAJI

    Ⅰ. The Spirit Behind KIREAJI

    • In Japanese cuisine, everything begins with the act of cutting.
      As reflected in the word kappo (割烹)—which means “to cut and to cook”—cutting is not simply technique. It is how we honor the ingredient, preserve its natural beauty, and unlock its full potential.

    • At KIREAJI, we do not pursue mere sharpness. We seek true cutting quality—the ability of a blade to glide effortlessly through fish, meat, or vegetables, leaving textures intact, freshness preserved, and flavors enhanced.

    • This kind of performance transforms a knife from a tool into a trusted partner. It elevates dishes from good to unforgettable, turning simple meals into deeply satisfying experiences.

    • Our name expresses this belief. KIRE (切れ) means “cutting” or “sharpness,” while AJI (味) means “taste” or “flavor.” Together, they reflect our conviction that superior cutting leads directly to richer taste, better texture, and a heightened dining experience.

    • What makes this possible is not machinery, but centuries of craftsmanship in Sakai. Each knife carries the spirit of artisans who, for over 600 years, have refined the balance of steel, edge, and form.

    • When you hold a KIREAJI knife, you hold more than a blade.
      You hold tradition, artistry, and a cultural legacy—passed from hand to hand, dish to dish, and generation to generation.

    • Experience the true meaning of KIREAJI—
      and let every cut inspire your cooking.

    KIREAJI: When Cutting Transforms into Flavor

    • True Japanese cutting is more than sharpness—it is flavor itself.
      In kappo tradition, cutting is cooking, and the right blade can elevate texture, freshness, and taste.
      KIRE + AJI expresses this philosophy: the belief that a superior cut creates richer flavor.
      Every KIREAJI knife is shaped not by machines, but by artisans carrying six centuries of mastery.

    Ⅱ. KIREAJI's Purpose

    • Protecting Tradition, Supporting Artisans, Connecting the World

      At KIREAJI, our purpose is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief:
      true craftsmanship deserves to be preserved, celebrated, and shared with the world.
      We exist to connect people everywhere with the heart of Japanese knife culture—
      a culture shaped in Sakai City for more than 600 years.

    • 1. Connecting the World — Sharing the Soul of Sakai

      Sakai knives are trusted by 98% of Japan’s professional chefs,
      not because they are tools, but because they are a living legacy—
      forged by artisans who devote their lives to mastering a single craft.

      Yet outside Japan, true Sakai-made knives are difficult to access.
      Counterfeits and mass-produced “Japanese-style” knives are common,
      while real Japanese knife workshops are often small, family-run,
      and unable to reach global customers on their own.

      KIREAJI bridges this gap by delivering
      authentic, handcrafted knives directly from the Shiroyama Knife Workshop in Sakai
      to kitchens around the world—
      with honesty, transparency, and deep respect for the artisans who create them.

      Each knife we send is more than steel.
      It is heritage.
      It is connection.
      It is a story carried from one pair of hands to another.

    • 2. Connecting Generations — Passing Down a Legacy

      A true Japanese knife carries memories:
      the grandmother’s knife that shaped a childhood,
      the mentor’s knife that guided a young chef.

    • We believe a great knife should last long enough
      to become part of your story—and be passed to the next.

    • By honoring centuries-old techniques
      and pairing them with thoughtful innovation,
      KIREAJI helps create knives built not only for years,
      but for lifetimes.

    • When a knife is passed down,
      a legacy is passed on.

    • 3. Connecting Tradition and Innovation — The Future of Craftsmanship

      Tradition is not something to preserve untouched.
      It is something to keep alive, to nurture, and to carry forward.


      Sakai’s centuries-old forging methods remain the foundation of everything we do,
      but to ensure this craft thrives in the future,
      we embrace modern design, better balance, and improvements that meet today’s kitchens.

      Innovation does not replace tradition—
      it protects it.
      It keeps the soul of Japanese craftsmanship alive, relevant,
      and ready to be passed on to the next generation.

    • Every KIREAJI knife unites timeless skill with modern vision,
      shaping not only the future of cooking,
      but the future of Japanese craftsmanship itself.

    KIREAJI: Connecting the Soul of Sakai to the World

    • KIREAJI Connecting the Soul of Sakai to the World

      We bridge Sakai’s 600-year craft with kitchens around the world, connecting master artisans, modern cooks, and the next generation.
      Each knife is built to last a lifetime, uniting tradition and innovation in every cut.

      Source (98% data): Sakai Tourism Bureau 

    Ⅲ. KIREAJI Four Principles

    • 1. Connecting the World – Delivering True Japanese Quality

      At KIREAJI, we believe craftsmanship knows no borders.
      Every knife we offer is forged in Sakai City—Japan’s legendary home of blades for over 600 years—**crafted by artisans who devote their lives to the art of making.

      We do not chase trends or mass production.
      We honor the quiet integrity of tradition and deliver each piece with care, precision, and pride.

      What you receive is not just a knife.
      It is a connection to the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.

      Differences Between Handcrafted Knives and Mass-Produced Factory Knives 

    • 2. Designed Around You – Honoring Every Voice

      Every KIREAJI knife begins with a question:
      “How can we serve your needs better?”

      From chefs seeking custom handles to left-handed cooks searching for the perfect blade, your requests inspire us to refine our craft. Balance, grip, edge, and material—every detail is shaped by the voices of our customers.

      We don’t just sell knives.
      We create partnerships—where your trust shapes who we are.

      Responding to Customer Requests 
    • Preserving Culture,Shaping the Future

      3. Bridging Generations, Cultures, and Craft

      KIREAJI exists to build bridges.

      While demand for traditional blades declines in Japan, more and more people abroad seek the very excellence that risks being lost. By sharing authentic Sakai craftsmanship with the world, we support not only our customers, but also the artisans and the culture they represent.

      We are not simply preserving tradition.
      We are helping it thrive—across oceans, across generations, across time.

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

      4. A Shared Journey

      True craftsmanship uplifts everyone it touches.

      At KIREAJI, we strive to build lasting, meaningful relationships—with our customers, our makers, our partners, and our planet.

      When you choose KIREAJI, you join something greater:
      a global circle built on respect, shared values, and a deep appreciation for the art of making.

      Together, let’s shape a richer, more connected culinary world.

      Win-Win for All 

    KIREAJI: A Philosophy of Connection

    • KIREAJI: A Philosophy of Connection

      KIREAJI is built on one purpose: to forge connections.
      We deliver true craftsmanship, shape our knives through your voice, and help a centuries-old tradition thrive across borders and generations.
      Choosing KIREAJI means joining a circle of people who respect culture, artisans, and one another.

    Ⅳ. Behind the Craft: The Three Hidden Foundations of KIREAJI

    • What you hold in a KIREAJI knife is only the surface of a much deeper story.
      Behind every blade lie three hidden foundations—the quiet forces that shape its strength and soul long before it reaches your hands.

    • First, the artisans of Sakai, who devote decades to mastering their craft.
      Second, the unseen processes—over 30 meticulous steps—that give each blade its sharpness and longevity.
      Third, our commitment to fair and honest value, ensuring quality is never compromised.

    • These foundations may be invisible, but they are the reason every KIREAJI knife feels alive in your hand.

    • 1. It Begins with a Person – Honoring the Artisans of Sakai

      Every KIREAJI knife begins not with a machine, but with a single pair of hands. In **Sakai City, Osaka—the heart of Japanese blacksmithing for over 600 years—**master artisans devote decades to perfecting their skill. With patience, precision, and pride, they shape steel into blades that embody both strength and soul.
      The true value of every knife lies in the human spirit that creates it.

      Traditional Craftsmen 

    • 2. It Continues with a Process – The Hidden Craft Behind the Edge

      From those hands, each knife passes through over 30 meticulous stages of creation. Forging, heat treatment, grinding, and sharpening—every step matters. While mass production cuts corners, we never do.
      Because true sharpness is not born in a single moment on a whetstone—it is forged step by step, long before the first cut.

      Material of Knife 

    • 3. Artisan Quality, Honestly Priced – Our Promise to You

      We partner directly with renowned Sakai workshops, such as the Shiroyama Knife Workshop, ensuring artisans are fairly rewarded for their skill. By removing unnecessary middlemen, avoiding inflated markups, and investing solely in quality, we deliver handcrafted excellence at an honest price.

      Each knife travels straight from the hands of its maker in Japan to your kitchen.
      Not just a product, but a connection—between tradition, craftsmanship, and you.

      Our Thoughts on Pricing 

    The Three Hidden Foundations of KIREAJI

    • The Three Hidden Foundations of KIREAJI

      A KIREAJI knife is built on three unseen foundations:
      the artisan’s soul, the meticulous process behind every edge,
      and a promise of honesty that connects you directly to its maker.
      What you hold is more than steel—it is a lineage shaped by human hands.

    Ⅴ. KIREAJI's Three Promises to You.

    • More Than a Knife—A Promise in Every Cut.

      At KIREAJI, every blade is born from centuries of Sakai craftsmanship, designed to serve you for a lifetime.
      Here are our three promises to every cook who chooses KIREAJI.

    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.

    Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

    2.Thoughtful Elegance 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.

    KIREAJI Complimentary Services

    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.

    After Service

    More Than a Knife: The Three Commitments of KIREAJI

    • More Than a Knife The Three Commitments of KIREAJI

      A KIREAJI knife carries three enduring commitments:
      heritage forged over centuries, thoughtful design ready from day one,
      and a lifetime partnership through dedicated care.
      It is not just a tool—it is a companion built to last.

    The Soul of Craftsmanship

    • Tradition Is Not the Past—It Is the Living Pride That Shapes the Future

      When people hear “traditional craftsmanship,” they often think only of old methods or fading history. But for us artisans, tradition is not something to preserve in glass—it is a living pride that evolves with every generation.

    • We inherit skills and wisdom from our predecessors, yet our mission is not simply to preserve them. We refine tradition by exploring new steels, adapting techniques, and shaping forms that meet the needs of today’s kitchens. Tradition has endured for centuries because craftsmen continually reimagined it for their own time.

    • When you hold a knife forged in this spirit, you are not just holding a tool—you are holding a story. A story that bridges past and present, carrying the soul of the artisan into your hands and into the future.

    • At KIREAJI, this is the essence of what we deliver: living tradition, crafted with pride, sustained with innovation, and entrusted to you.
    Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

    Our Story

    • Tradition of Sakai, in Your Hands

      "Where can I find a truly great knife?"
      We started KIREAJI to answer that question. While the number of skilled craftsmen is declining in Japan, many people overseas are seeking authentic blades. With that in mind, we carefully deliver each knife—bridging tradition and kitchens around the world.
    Our Story