Let’s Grow the Circle of Japanese Knife Evangelists

  • January 21, 2026

  • Around the world, there are people who do far more than simply use Japanese knives.

    They cook with them.
    They teach with them.
    They sharpen them.
    They talk about them.
    They pass their stories on to others.

    To us, these people are more than users.
    They are Japanese Knife Evangelists.

    People who carry not only a knife in their hands,
    but a deep respect for the culture, history, and spirit behind it.

  • Why This Matters

    Japanese knives are not products that become obsolete when a “new model” appears.
    They are tools shaped by centuries of accumulated knowledge, skill, and philosophy.

    But no matter how extraordinary the craft is,
    it does not survive through objects alone.

    It survives through people.

    Through the chefs who choose them.
    Through the sharpeners who maintain them.
    Through the teachers, writers, and creators who speak about them.
    Through the everyday cooks who fall in love with them and share that experience with someone else.

    That is how culture moves forward.

  • What We Want to Create

    At KIREAJI, we would like to begin a new initiative:

    To introduce people around the world who are living and working with Japanese knives with passion,
    and to connect them through stories.

    Not as advertisements.
    Not as endorsements.
    But as human journeys.

    Each person has their own path.
    Each person has their own reason for choosing Japanese knives.
    Each person has their own way of passing that passion on.

    We want to make those stories visible.

  • If You Feel a Connection, We Would Love to Hear From You

    If Japanese knives are more than just tools to you,
    we would be honored to introduce your story.

    We will ask you to share three simple things:

    1. What are Japanese knives to you—beyond being just tools?
    2. What do you value most in your daily work?
    3. What kind of relationship do you believe people should have with their knives?

    Along with a short profile such as:
    ・ Who you are
    ・ Your journey into Japanese knives
    ・ What you do today

    We will also include links to your own activities, work, or projects,
    so others can discover you and your world.

  • From Knowing, to Using, to Sharing

    Our hope is simple:

    More people will know about Japanese knives.
    More people will use them with respect and care.
    And more people will share their meaning with others.

    If this circle keeps growing,
    Japanese knives will not only survive.
    They will continue to live—through people.

  • Join the Circle

    If this idea resonates with you,
    please leave us a message in the comments.

    We will reach out to you personally.

    Not to sell anything.
    But to connect—and to grow this circle together.

Join the Circle of Japanese Knife Evangelists — Share Your Story

January 26, 2026 Update

The First Japanese Knife Evangelist

A philosophy becomes real only when someone chooses to live it.

Frédérick Kubat, a sharpener and educator based in Quebec, Canada, is the first person to walk this path with us.

He does not speak about Japanese knives as products.
He works with them, cares for them, and helps others rediscover what they truly are.

Through his daily work, Japanese knives continue to live — not as objects, but as part of people’s lives.

We are honored to introduce him as the first Japanese Knife Evangelist.

Meet Frédérick Kubat — Japanese Knife Evangelist

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • On Why People, Not Objects, Carry a Craft Forward

    When we forge knives, we do not think about “spreading” them around the world.
    We think about making one good blade—honestly, carefully, and with responsibility.

    A craft does not survive because there are many tools.
    It survives because there are people who care.

    Over the years, I have met chefs, sharpeners, and cooks in many countries.
    Some use Japanese knives beautifully.
    Some are still learning.
    But what they share is not technique—it is respect.

    A knife is not just something to cut with.
    It reflects how someone works, how they think, and how they face their craft.

    When someone chooses a knife thoughtfully, maintains it, and speaks about it to others,
    that person is already carrying this culture forward—even if they do not call themselves an “evangelist.”

    We craftsmen can continue to forge blades.
    But the future of this craft does not live in our workshops alone.
    It lives in the hands of those who use, care for, and talk about these tools.

    If more people begin to share not just knives, but the stories and values behind them,
    then this craft will not fade—it will continue, quietly and strongly.

    That is more than enough reason for us to keep forging.

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

    1. Forged in the Legacy of Sakai

    From Sakai City—Japan’s renowned birthplace of professional kitchen knives—each blade is crafted by master artisans with over six centuries of tradition. Perfectly balanced, enduringly sharp, and exquisitely finished, every cut carries the soul of true craftsmanship.

  • 2. Thoughtful Care for Everyday Use

    Every knife includes a hand-fitted magnolia saya for safe storage. Upon request, we offer a complimentary Honbazuke final hand sharpening—giving you a precise, ready-to-use edge from day one.

  • 3. A Partnership for a Lifetime

    A KIREAJI knife is more than a tool—it is a lifelong companion. With our bespoke paid aftercare services, we preserve its edge and beauty, ensuring it remains as precise and dependable as the day it first met your hand.