Nestled between the Shinano and Igarashi Rivers, Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture stands as one of Japan’s great centers of cutlery production. Unlike Sakai or Seki, its roots do not trace back to samurai swords, but to the everyday craftsmanship of farmers and blacksmiths who learned to forge nails in the 17th century. Through floods, hardship, and perseverance, Sanjo transformed itself into a world-class hub of metalwork — a place where skill was born “in harmony with nature.”
This video explores how Sanjo’s geography, climate, and indomitable spirit shaped a legacy of craftsmanship that continues to define Japanese blade-making today.