I am currently in Japan, and had an opportunity to visit Seki City at the end of May. I spent the better part of an afternoon wit Mr Ichiro Hattori, who for those not familar, makes the largest CS San Mai knives; TM, Tantos, BBC, etc.
We spoke about the changes in Japanese knife laws that went into effect in 2009 after a mass stabbing incident occured in Tokyo in 2008 involving a "dagger". The result of that was that all daggers (double edged) became prohibited from domestic sales within Japan. The Seki Cutlery Association also declared that they would no longer manufacture daggers.
Recently, Japanes laws have now made knives with a "tanto blade" or single edged blades with a swedge that an be sharpened into an edge, also illegal for sales in Japan. There was considerable and understandable discontent expressed at the increase in knife posession restrictions. However, for now the Japanese government allows an exception for "export only" items so daggers such as the Tai Pan made by Hattori in Seki, or the Counter Tac series made by Ido Edge in Mino will continue to be made for shipment to cold steel. But all the CS San Mai knives made by Hattori wil be reduced in production numbers mainly because his production capacity is being pressed by another client. Pressed so hard that they were scrambling to find ways to accomodate Lynn Thompson, whose very long relationship with Seki, interest in Japanese martial arts and respect for Japanese blades is no secret. In summary, while Seki made knives are no longer being produced at the full speed or capacities that they were up until about 10 years ago, the industry there is far from gone. .
We spoke about the changes in Japanese knife laws that went into effect in 2009 after a mass stabbing incident occured in Tokyo in 2008 involving a "dagger". The result of that was that all daggers (double edged) became prohibited from domestic sales within Japan. The Seki Cutlery Association also declared that they would no longer manufacture daggers.
Recently, Japanes laws have now made knives with a "tanto blade" or single edged blades with a swedge that an be sharpened into an edge, also illegal for sales in Japan. There was considerable and understandable discontent expressed at the increase in knife posession restrictions. However, for now the Japanese government allows an exception for "export only" items so daggers such as the Tai Pan made by Hattori in Seki, or the Counter Tac series made by Ido Edge in Mino will continue to be made for shipment to cold steel. But all the CS San Mai knives made by Hattori wil be reduced in production numbers mainly because his production capacity is being pressed by another client. Pressed so hard that they were scrambling to find ways to accomodate Lynn Thompson, whose very long relationship with Seki, interest in Japanese martial arts and respect for Japanese blades is no secret. In summary, while Seki made knives are no longer being produced at the full speed or capacities that they were up until about 10 years ago, the industry there is far from gone. .
