The Legendary Knives of Echizen: A Tradition Forged in Steel

In the heart of Fukui Prefecture lies Echizen, a small city with a towering reputation in the world of blade-making. For more than 700 years, this quiet region has been the cradle of craftsmanship, where raw steel is transformed into knives and tools of extraordinary quality. While places like Seki and Sakai often draw more attention, Echizen’s artisans have been quietly mastering their craft, blending ancient techniques with modern innovation. The result? Blades that feel almost alive in your hands.

But these knives are more than tools. They carry with them a story of resilience, adaptation, and centuries-old tradition—a story that deserves to be told.

What is Echizen Uchihamono?

Echizen Uchihamono (越前打刃物) refers to the handcrafted metal tools and knives produced in Echizen City (越前市) in Fukui Prefecture. The name stems from the region’s historical designation as Echizen Province (越前国), highlighting its deep cultural roots.

The hallmark of Echizen Uchihamono lies in its unique techniques, such as the “double-layered” method for knives and the “rotational steel forging” method for tools like sickles. These methods are more than just techniques—they are the soul of Echizen craftsmanship.

Gyuto DP-Gold ｜Masutani Cutlery | Echizen

Masterful Techniques Behind Echizen Blades

Echizen blades are renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship, which combines artistry with functionality. Two techniques, in particular, define the region’s blade-making legacy:

• Double-Layered Technique (Nimai Gasane, 二枚重ね)
  This method involves layering two sheets of metal and hammering them into shape. The double-layering distributes hammering force evenly, allowing for thinner and more extended blades while retaining heat longer during forging. This reduces the need for reheating and ensures a smooth, even finish.
  
  
• Rotational Steel Forging (Mawashi Hagane-zuke, 廻し鋼着け)
  In this process, steel (鋼, hagane) is diagonally compressed into a rhomboid shape, creating blades that are thin, durable, and easy to sharpen. This technique is particularly valued in crafting sickles, enhancing both their performance and longevity.

Together, these methods produce blades that are lightweight, sharp, and built to endure—a perfect balance of form and function.

See our Echizen Santoku from Anryu Cutlery

A Legacy Born of Necessity

The origins of Echizen’s blade-making tradition date back to the 14th century, during the Nanbokucho period (南北朝時代, 1336–1392).

A Kyoto swordsmith, Chiyozuru Kuniyasu (千代鶴国安, 1314–1396), sought a better environment for forging and settled in Fuchu (府中, now Echizen City). Recognizing the local farmers’ need for durable tools, he began crafting sickles and hoes, applying his sword-making expertise to agricultural implements.

Legend has it that Chiyozuru, disheartened by the thought of his swords taking lives, would carve small guardian lion-dogs (狛犬, komainu) from sharpening stones as talismans of peace. These were dropped into a pond as prayers for harmony. This story, once thought to be folklore, was later validated when several swords and komainu were discovered at Chiyozuru Shrine (千代鶴神社) in Echizen City.

By the Edo period (江戸時代, 1603–1868), Echizen craftsmen had perfected techniques like the double-layered method and rotational steel forging. Their sickles gained national acclaim, cementing Echizen’s status as a blade-making hub.

The Connection with the Lacquerware Industry

One fascinating aspect of Echizen’s history is its connection to the lacquerware industry. Over the centuries, demand for Echizen blades grew significantly through the needs of this parallel craft. Lacquer tappers relied on high-quality tools to harvest resin from trees, and they turned to Echizen’s skilled craftsmen for their sickles and other metal tools. The forging techniques developed for agricultural tools proved equally effective for these specialized needs.

Lacquer tappers, who often traveled extensively, became inadvertent “ambassadors” for Echizen blades. In challenging times, they would sell their tools during their journeys, spreading the reputation of Echizen sickles across Japan. The exceptional quality of these tools quickly gained recognition in other regions, increasing demand and positioning the tappers as informal salespeople. This unique relationship created a symbiotic connection between the lacquerware and forging industries. Though distinct, they became interdependent, with each supporting the other’s growth.

This mutual reliance highlights how Echizen’s blade-making tradition adapted to changing societal needs, ensuring its relevance across centuries.

From Sickles to Kitchen Knives

While Echizen’s blade-making tradition began with agricultural tools, the 20th century marked a shift toward kitchen knives. In the early Showa era (昭和初期), the demand for nakiri knives (菜切包丁) and rice harvesting sickles (稲刈鎌) allowed for a relatively peaceful period of growth.

The post-war demand for high-quality culinary tools allowed artisans to adapt their skills to meet the needs of chefs and home cooks alike. By 1979, Echizen Uchihamono was designated a "Traditional Craft" (伝統的工芸品) by the Japanese government, recognizing its centuries-old history and enduring excellence.

Yet, challenges arose during Japan’s rapid economic growth, with mechanization reducing the need for handmade sickles and the rise of mass-produced knives threatening small workshops. Many family-run operations closed their doors, but a group of dedicated craftsmen banded together to preserve their heritage. This led to the creation of Takefu Knife Village (タケフナイフビレッジ) in the 1990s—a hub where traditional artisans mentor the next generation, ensuring the survival of Echizen’s legacy.

Gyuto from Masutani Cutlery | Echizen

Why Choose an Echizen Knife?

Owning an Echizen knife is more than a practical choice—it’s an invitation to connect with history. Each blade reflects centuries of skill, innovation, and dedication. Whether you’re a professional chef or a passionate home cook, an Echizen knife offers unmatched quality, durability, and artistry.

For those who value tradition, sustainability, and beauty, Echizen knives stand as a testament to the extraordinary when heritage meets modernity.

See our Knives collection