“The Japanese Knife Manual” — Live with Your Knife, Transform Your Cooking

  • Now Available — the long-awaited follow-up to the globally acclaimed“The Japanese Knife Handbook.”

  • While the Handbook helped readers understand Japanese knives, this new volume is about living with them. It is not a book of knowledge, but a manual for practice — guiding you to welcome a Japanese knife into your daily rhythm, habits, and joy.

  • From Knowledge to Practice

    The mission of this book is simple:
    To teach you exactly what you need to know to use your knife with confidence.

    Through clear, step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn not just how to sharpen or care for a knife, but how to build a relationship with it — so every cut feels natural, mindful, and rewarding.

  • Four Stages of Living with Your Knife

    1. Before You Use It — Choosing the right knife, avoiding common mistakes. Your relationship begins the moment you decide.
    2. While You Use It — Holding, moving, and staying mindful. Proper use sharpens not only the blade, but also your awareness.
    3. After You Use It — Washing, drying, storing. Small, intentional habits that protect your knife and deepen your connection.
    4. Q&A — Answers to the most common real-world questions from chefs and students around the globe — about knives, 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 goes beyond 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 not just steel — it is a rhythm, a mindset, and a way to reconnect with yourself.

  • This Book Is for You If...

    • You’re buying your first Japanese knife and want to start right
    • You already own one but aren’t confident in using it
    • You want cooking to feel calmer, more mindful, more joyful
    • You wish to build a lasting, respectful bond with your tools

  • About the Author

    Former sushi instructor who trained over 500 international students in Tokyo. After moving to Toronto, he began sharpening knives for local chefs and later founded KIREAJI, an online store dedicated to bringing Sakai’s authentic craftsmanship to the world.


    Rather than simply selling knives, Toru’s mission is to share the soul of Japanese knife-making and help people everywhere live with their knives in a deeper, more meaningful way.

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

Videos related to this book

    How to Choose a Japanese Knife — Finding a Blade That Suits You

    • Choosing the Right Japanese Knife for You

      With so many types of Japanese knives—Yanagiba for sashimi, Deba for fish, Gyuto for versatile use—it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one. But the perfect knife isn’t just about shape or steel; it’s about matching your cooking style, ingredients, and personal preferences. In this video, we guide you through the essentials of selecting a Japanese knife, helping you find a blade that feels like a natural extension of your hand.

    Caring for Your JapaneseKnife — What Not to Do

    • Caring for Your Japanese Knife: Mistakes to Avoid

      A Japanese knife is more than a kitchen tool—it’s a finely crafted instrument built for precision. But even the best blade can lose its edge or suffer damage if treated the wrong way. From avoiding dishwashers to steering clear of glass cutting boards, knowing what not to do is just as important as proper sharpening. In this video, we highlight the most common mistakes and how to protect your knife so it lasts a lifetime.

    Daily Care Makes All the Difference — Where True Value Reveals Itself

    • Daily Care Makes All the Difference

      The true value of a Japanese knife is not revealed the day you buy it, but in how you care for it every day. Wiping it dry after each use, storing it properly, and sharpening with respect—these small routines preserve not only sharpness but also the spirit of craftsmanship within the blade. In this video, we show how daily care transforms a knife from a tool into a lifelong companion.

    Why Do Japanese Knives Rust? — The Reasons and Howto Prevent It

    • Why Japanese Knives Rust — And How to Keep Them Pristine

      Even the finest Japanese knives, forged with mastery and tradition, are not immune to rust. The reason lies in the very steels that give them their legendary sharpness—carbon-rich alloys that react easily with moisture and acids. But rust is not inevitable. With proper care—wiping blades dry, using the right storage, and oiling when needed—you can preserve both their beauty and performance for decades. This video explains why rust occurs and how simple habits can protect your knife for a lifetime.

    The Japanese Knife Handbook — Understanding Knives, Connecting Cultures

    The first book in the series that started it all.
    The Japanese Knife Handbook explores the history, craftsmanship, and cultural meaning behind Japanese knives—why they are loved by chefs worldwide and what makes them truly unique.
    Learn the “why” behind the blade and gain the knowledge to speak confidently about Japanese knives, their steel, and their soul.

    The Japanese Knife Handbook

    The Japanese Knife Mindset — The Philosophy Behind the Blade

    After exploring knowledge in The Japanese Knife Handbook and practice in The Japanese Knife Manual,
    the journey now turns inward — to the mindset behind every great chef.
    The Japanese Knife Mindset delves into the philosophy, discipline, and daily habits that shape true culinary mastery.
    A book for those who seek not only to sharpen their knives, but also their spirit.

    The Japanese Knife Mindset

    The Japanese Knife Workbook — Learn, Then Speak It Forward

    After learning and practicing through The Handbook, The Manual, and The Mindset,
    the journey continues — to sharing what you’ve learned.

    The Japanese Knife Workbook turns understanding into expression through quizzes, videos, and reflection.
    A book not just to learn from — but to speak from.

    The Japanese Knife Workbook

    The Soul 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.
      A Japanese knife reflects the spirit of its user—it responds to the sincerity, care, and respect with which it is handled.

    • From the moment you choose it, to the way you use it, to the attention you give it in daily care—each act becomes a quiet ritual, a dialogue between you and the blade. Through this process, the knife grows into more than steel. It becomes a mirror of the heart, and a lifelong companion in your craft.

    • As artisans, we hope every knife we create can become part of such a bond, enriching not only your cooking but also the joy and meaning found within it.
    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