"The Japanese Knife Manual" : Live with Your Knife — When You Change How You Use It, Cooking Will Change Too

  • Now Available!

    The long-awaited follow-up to the globally praised “The Japanese Knife Handbook”
    This time, the focus is not on knowledge—but on practice.

  • The Concept of This Book

    This is not a “book of knowledge.”
    It’s a manual for daily life with your knife.

  • While the previous book offered deep insights into blade shapes, steel types, and history—
    helping you become someone who can talk about Japanese knives—
    this new book is about helping you use them.

    Its mission is clear:
    To teach you, in a kind and simple way, exactly what you need to know
    to use your Japanese knife with confidence, and to welcome it into your daily rhythm, habits, and joy.

  • Four Stages to Deepen Your Bond with Your Knife

    This book guides you through four phases of your journey:

  • 1. Before You Use It:
    How do you choose the right knife?
    What mistakes should you avoid?
    Your relationship begins the moment you select your knife.

  • 2. Whil You Use It:
    How do you hold it, move it, stay mindful while cutting?
    Proper use sharpens not just the blade—but your presence.

  • 3. After You Use It:
    Washing, drying, resting, storing—
    These small, intentional habits protect your knife and build a deeper connection.

  • 4. Q&A:
    Collected from hundreds of real conversations with students and chefs around the world.
    Clear answers about knives, cutting boards, whetstones, and more.

  • By the End of This Book...

    Your knife will no longer be just a tool.
    It will become a partner.

    What you gain from this book goes far beyond knowledge or technique:

    • The calm you feel as your knife glides cleanly through an ingredient
    • The quiet joy of preparing food with attention and care
    • The comfort of maintaining a tool you love and respect


    A Japanese knife is more than an object—
    It’s a rhythm, a mindset, a way to reconnect with yourself.

  • This Book Is for You If...

    ✓ You’re buying your first Japanese knife
    ✓ You already own one but aren’t sure if you’re using it right
    ✓ You want to enjoy cooking more mindfully
    ✓ You want to build a lasting, respectful relationship with your tools
    ✓ You want to live with your knife, not just talk about it

  • About the Author

    Toru I (Founder of KIREAJI)
    Former sushi instructor who taught over 500 international students in Tokyo.
    After moving to Toronto, he began sharpening knives for local chefs and later founded KIREAJI.
    Rather than simply selling knives, he is on a mission to share the soul of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with the world.



  • Start a New Chapter in Your Kitchen with The Japanese Knife Manual
The Japanese Knife Manual

What makes Japanese knives so special?

This book holds the answers.
Explore types, history, and culture — and gain the knowledge to speak confidently about Japanese knives, anywhere in the world.

The Japanese Knife Handbook

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • The Moment a Tool Connects with the Heart

    Even the finest knife, if treated as just a tool,
    will never reveal its true potential.

    What this book teaches is not just how to use a knife—
    but how to build a relationship with it.

    From choosing it, to using it, to caring for it—
    each act becomes a quiet ritual,
    a moment to reflect on yourself.

    A Japanese knife is more than steel.
    It’s a mirror of the heart.
    This book gently reminds us of that truth.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

VIDEO PROVIDED: JAPAN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS AOYAMA SQUARE (YOUTUBE)

  • Beware of Inexpensive Knives

    Inexpensive knives are often made with cost-cutting measures during production. Specifically, important elements such as sharpness, balance, and maintainability—key factors that directly affect quality—are not given sufficient investment. These aspects are often difficult to notice at first glance, but they can significantly impact the performance of the knife.

  • At KIREAJI, we offer authentic Japanese knives crafted by trusted artisans from Sakai City. Every knife is carefully handcrafted with a focus on sharpness, balance, and maintainability, ensuring you receive a high-quality product that provides long-lasting reliability and peace of mind.