“The Japanese Knife Mindset” — Beyond Skill, Into Spirit

  • Now Available — the third and final volume in the acclaimed Japanese Knife Series, following The Japanese Knife Handbook and The Japanese Knife Manual.

  • While the Handbook explored understanding, and the Manual taught daily practice, The Japanese Knife Mindset goes further—
    into the inner world of craftsmanship, discipline, and philosophy that shapes every true chef.

    This book is not about sharpening steel, but about sharpening one’s self.

  • From Mastery to Meaning

    What separates a cook from a chef?
    It is not only technique, but character, intention, and respect.

    In The Japanese Knife Mindset, you’ll explore how a chef’s spirit transforms every movement—
    from how they hold a knife, to how they treat ingredients, to how they face each day in the kitchen.

    Through five chapters on character and attitude, skill and mastery, knowledge and understanding, devotion to flavor, and professionalism in daily practice,
    this book offers timeless guidance for those who believe that cooking is not just a craft—but a way of life.

  • What You’ll Discover

    1. How character shapes technique—and why humility precedes mastery
    2. The relationship between repetition, patience, and growth
    3. The true meaning of “care” in both sharpening and cooking
    4. The philosophy of taste—how flavor reflects the chef’s inner world
    5. Professionalism not as image, but as daily devotion

    Each page invites reflection. Each lesson sharpens both blade and soul.

  • A Book for Those Who Seek Depth

    If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate your cooking beyond technique—
    if you’ve ever felt that the kitchen is a place of philosophy as much as flavor—
    this book was written for you.

    Whether you are a professional chef, a devoted home cook, or a student of Japanese culture,
    you’ll find in these pages a mirror—a quiet reminder that the way you cook is the way you live.

  • The Journey Comes Full Circle

    From knowledge (Handbook)
    to practice (Manual)
    to philosophy (Mindset).

    This is more than a book—it is the culmination of a path.
    May it remind you that beyond skill lies character,and beyond flavor lies soul.

    The Japanese Knife Mindset

  • About the Author

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

    Through his writing, he continues to share the spirit of Japanese knife-making—
    not just to sell knives, but to pass on the mindset that defines true mastery.

  • Sharpen your knife. Steady your hand. And let your mindset shape your craft.
The Japanese Knife Mindset

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 Manual — Live with Your Knife, Transform Your Cooking

The second book takes you from knowledge to practice.
The Japanese Knife Manual teaches how to use, care for, and live with your knife—turning it from a simple tool into a trusted partner in your kitchen.
Step by step, it shows how mindful habits can transform not only your cooking but your connection to the craft itself.

The Japanese Knife Manual

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 Soul of the Japanese Knife, A Craftsman’s Passion for the World

    Holding a Japanese knife is never just about possessing a tool. It is about feeling the craftsmanship, the spirit, and the history passed down through generations. Each blade we create by hand is more than steel and wood—it is a symbol of Japan’s tradition and pride, carrying within it the heart and soul of its maker.

  • I carry one desire above all: to share the deep allure of Japanese knives with people around the world. My hope is that, through understanding, more will come to cherish their beauty, speak of their value, and pass on their story. For us as craftsmen, nothing could bring greater joy.

  • Creating a Japanese knife is no simple task. From selecting raw materials to forging, sharpening, and finishing the handle, we refuse to compromise on even the smallest detail. It is because of this unwavering dedication that the moment a knife comes alive in the user’s hand, the joy it brings cannot be captured in words. That is when we, as craftsmen, feel our deepest pride.

  • And when one of these knives reaches your hands, bringing life to your cooking, that is our greatest wish fulfilled. We believe that with every use, you will feel the weight of tradition and the spirit of the craftsman—carrying it forward to the next generation.

  • A Japanese knife is not merely a cutting tool. It is a vessel of refined skill and enduring spirit, cultivated over centuries. It is our hope, and our pride, that people across the world will not only feel this legacy, but continue to understand, appreciate, and pass it on.

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