Sakai Knives -Hidden gems in Osaka-
Have you ever heard of Sakai Hamono?
If you’re a restaurant chef, chances are you have.
The knives produced in Sakai, Osaka, are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, and are now highly sought after by chefs across the globe.
Sakai City is just 30 minutes from Kansao International Airport by car.
With a population of approximately 800,000, it is the 2nd largest city in all of Osaka.
The city of Sakai has been known as a center of blade-making for over a millennium.
It is also home to Japan’s largest keyhole-shaped burial mound, the Mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku. Historical accounts suggest that the production of tools such as spades and hoes, created for the construction of this immense tomb, marked the origins of Sakai cutlery tradition.
Later on, skills from Sakai blade-making were combined with new techniques brought in through foreign trade—crafting tobacco tools and even matchlock guns—and those skills gradually evolved into the world-class knife-making craft Sakai is famous for today.
The production of Sakai knives follows a traditional division of labor, separated into four distinct fields: forging (kaji), blade sharpening (hazuke), handle crafting, and handle fitting. The exceptional skill of the artisans in each domain ensures the uncompromising quality of the finished knife.Through the process of forging, in which soft iron (jigane) is combined with hard steel (hagane), these knives achieve a balance of hardness and toughness, resulting in superior sharpness and remarkable durability.
Sakai knives continue to captivate culinary professionals and home cooks alike around the world.
Our company offers arrangements for knife-making workshops, where participants may collaborate with artisans to create their very own original knife, complete with a personalized engraving of their name.
In addition, we provide guided tours to Sennichimae Dōguyasuji, Osaka’s famous kitchenware district. Should you wish to purchase Japanese knives or other culinary implements, please do not hesitate to consult with us.
