Our Thoughts on Pricing — Preserving Craftsmanship for the Future

  • At KIREAJI, one of our four core principles is clear:
    “Preserve Culture, For the Future.”

    This is not a slogan.
    It is our commitment to ensuring that the centuries-old tradition
    of Sakai knife-making continues to thrive.

    For more than 600 years, the craftsmen of Sakai City
    have forged blades of extraordinary sharpness and durability.

    Today, however, this craft faces a serious challenge.

    Fewer successors.
    Shrinking workshops.
    A tradition at risk of fading away.

    If these skills disappear, the world loses not just tools,
    but a living heritage.

  • That is why we maintain fair and honest pricing—
    never undervaluing the time, skill, and pride behind each knife.

    We do not offer discounts.
    Because to discount would be to devalue the very craftsmanship
    we are working to protect.

  • To further honor this craft,
    we choose not to involve middlemen.

    Every knife is delivered directly from Shiroyama Knife Workshop in Sakai,
    ensuring the value you pay reaches the artisans themselves,
    rather than disappearing into layers of distribution.

  • In the same spirit,
    we do not spend money on advertising.

    Every possible resource is returned
    to the craftsmen
    and to our customers.

    Instead of paying for ads,
    we invest in something far more meaningful:
    education, knowledge, and the future of Japanese knife culture.

    Through Japanese Knife Academy,
    we create and share content that helps people around the world
    discover, understand,
    and truly appreciate real Japanese knives.

    We believe the most powerful form of “marketing”
    is not advertising,
    but the voice of our customers.

  • When someone learns about Japanese knives through KIREAJI,
    uses their first Sakai-made blade,
    and shares its beauty with family, friends, and fellow cooks—

    that connection carries more value
    than any advertisement ever could.

  • Our prices may shift over time
    with currency changes or material costs.

    But they will always reflect one unwavering promise:
    to pay artisans fairly,
    so their knowledge can be passed to the next generation.

    For you, this means confidence.

    The price you see is the true price—
    free from sudden markdowns,
    inflated margins,
    or artificial sales tactics.

    When market conditions require adjustments,
    every change serves one goal:
    to safeguard the art of Japanese knife-making
    for generations to come.

  • By choosing KIREAJI,
    you are not just buying a knife.

    You are helping preserve a tradition,
    honoring the hands that forged it,
    and becoming part of the story
    that keeps this craft alive.

The True Price of Craft: Preserving a 600-Year Cultural Legacy

  • KIREAJI treats pricing not as a sales tactic but as a responsibility to protect culture.
    By rejecting discounts, paying artisans fairly, and investing in education—not ads—
    we ensure that Japan’s knife-making heritage can live on for future generations.

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • Keeping the Flame of Tradition Alive

    The craft of blacksmithing is slowly fading as times change. With mechanization and mass production, the demand for hand-forged blades has declined. Yet for us, this work is more than just making knives—it is the culture of our region, the pride of our ancestors, and the essence of our identity.

  • It’s not about saying, “No one else is doing it, so let’s stop.” Instead, we believe, “Because no one else is doing it, we must protect it.” For more than 600 years, this knowledge and skill have been passed down, and it is our mission to adapt it to modern life and hand it down to the next generation.

  • A blade is not just a tool; it carries the heart and soul of its maker. Each piece has the power to enrich lives, to support daily work, and to bring joy. This belief is what drives us to keep forging, day after day.

  • The flame of tradition must never die. With that unwavering resolve, we continue to light the fire, hammer the steel, and pass on not only a knife—but also the spirit of craftsmanship that gives it life.
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