Seki Japan Knife and sword makers. Where does the steel come from?

[Mike Schildmeyer]

Hello, I searched for a while through the archives and couldn't find much on this topic, but please excuse me if others have already discussed this.

I am heading to Japan in May and am making a special trip to Seki and surrounding areas just to see what all is going on; visit some shops and all. I want to find a knife maker, make arrangements for a custom knife ahead of time, and pick it up in person while I'm there (no kitchen knives).

I would greatly welcome any advise on this trip, but most specifically:

-Which knife / sword makers in Seki (or elsewhere in Japan) use steel from Seki, rather than import from somewhere else?
-What all is there to see in Seki related to knives and swords?
-Is there good shopping in local shops there for knives?
-Any recommendations on Japanese smiths using local materials for custom knives? (Seki and all Japan)

Thank you all.

 

[mete]

Would be a good idea to expand your info - why are you going , what info do you expect , etc.
Japan has always been poor for raw materials .Traditionally they have ' iron bearing sand' as their only source of iron and don't really have other metals .So there swords are iron/carbon type but they certainly did a good job with that .Today they of course have to import metals as they make many different type of steels.
While you can find those who makeswords the old way modern steelmills are there too. I suggest making contacts with people who speak English well unless you speak Japanese [starting now ] ! Business is done differently there also.
If you complete your trip please post photos and info here for our education .

 

[fujita yuji]

I dont have much to add on mete's post above but I also recommend to visit Sakai.
It is famous for fine kitchen knives and other Japanese traditional cutlery, located just south of Osaka.
Wish you a nice trip.

 

[Bill Burke]

Koji Hara, lives near Seki city and makes incredible folders. once in a great while he does a fixed blade. While great hosts the Japanese, unlike American smiths don't appreciate someone just dropping by. some will let you in but don't expect a tour. If you can make contacts and arrangements before hand then it is all good, even better if you know someone to give you an introduction.

 

[Mike Schildmeyer]

So at the moment I have made arrangements to have a knife made by Master Takeshi Saji in Takefu City, so my trip has expanded to include this knife town as well. It will not be ready by my trip date, but I will visit the area, stop into some local shops, and definitely buy something while I'm there. Then I get to return home and wait for my knife to arrive, kinda like Christmas twice.

I am still investigating to see if there is any chance of meeting Master Saji while I'm there, but I imagine that as being unlikely.