Traditional craftsmen working on this product
Tatsuo Ikeda
Master Craftsman Whose Knives Embody Skill and Passion
- 1954: Began his journey as a blacksmith.
- 1970: Received approval from the Agency for Cultural Affairs for sword making.
- 1975: Succeeded as the 3rd generation head of the family following his father's retirement.
- 1985: Certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry.
- 1993: Awarded the Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency Award for developing the Mon-Tanren technique.
- 2009: Honored with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays, by the Emperor of Japan.
Tadayoshi Yamatsuka
Master of Japanese Knife Mirror Polishing
- Mr. Yamatsuka was recognized as a traditional craftsman in 2022.
- Excelling in blade sharpening skills, especially for thin blades
- Renowned in Sakai for his mirror polished technique on Japanese knives.
KIREAJI's Three Promises to You
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1. Exceptional Japanese Knives
Our knives, crafted by Sakai City's master artisans, combine traditional techniques with carefully selected materials, delivering unrivaled sharpness and durability.
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2. Genuine Sharpness
We offer free Honbazuke sharpening performed by skilled craftsmen, ensuring that you experience the authentic sharpness of a true Sakai knife.
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3. Lifetime Knife Use
Each knife comes with a free Saya (protective sheath) for added durability. We also offer after-sales service through a trusted Sakai City workshop to maintain your knife's performance.
Honyaki
Honyaki knives are manufactured using a different method from general knives. Unlike kasumi knives, honyaki knives lack a soft iron core, making them more susceptible to shocks and very prone to cracking during the hardening process, as there is no escape for the damage. To mitigate this and make the blade less likely to break, a process called "tsuchioki" is performed. Tsuchioki involves applying a mud-like clay to areas that should not be hardened before the hardening process. This ensures that the steel on the spine remains tough and flexible, preventing the blade from cracking. The shape of the tsuchioki application creates wave patterns or Mount Fuji patterns on the blade. Due to the complexity of the hardening process, only a few craftsmen in Sakai (or nationwide) can produce honyaki (mizuyaki) knives.
The Final Touch: The Story of Kido Finishing in Sakai
Kido finishing, a centuries-old tradition in Sakai, Japan, is the final step that turns a knife into a masterpiece. Using a pine wood wheel, craftsmen polish both sides of the blade, creating a distinct luster.
Before Using a Knife
We hope that everyone will use their knives for a long time. To achieve this, I'd like to review what we should pay attention to and what we shouldn't do in order to continue using them effectively.
Daily Care of Japanese Knives
We aim for all of you to use your knives for a long time. To achieve this, we have summarized what aspects of knife care you should pay attention to on a regular basis.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. (Estimated reply time: within 10 hours)
