SEKI JAPAN

(SUMIKAMA CUTLERY MFG.CO.,LTD. / MASAHIRO CO.,LTD. / SHIZUHAMONOCO.,LTD. / MARUSHO INDUSTRY CO.,LTD. / SEKI KANETSUGU HAMONO CO.,LTD. / SATAKE CUTLERY MFG.CO.,LTD.)



SEKI JAPAN is the member of six cutlery makers in Seki-city that is the cutlery production that is the most famous in Japan. Seki had the history of cutlery more than 780 years, and it was the town which was famous for the production of Japanese swords in old days. It is said that metallurgy in Seki originates in the Kamakura period when the sword smith Motoshige settled here in Seki. During the Age of Civil Wars (1467-1568) many military commanders came to favor the swords of Seki, which were said to be “unbreakable, unbendable, and able to cut through anything”. The qualities of swords were attributable to the second Kanemoto (famous for the Magoroku), who invented the unique method of producing swords named “Shihouzume”.

After that, Japan came to a peaceful age, and the demand for swords was decreasing.

The cutlery industry in Seki converted to production of home cutting tools.

They started a mass-production of cutting tools, mainly stainless steel products, by the latest machines and equipments. Eventually, the products of Seki were highly evaluated not only in Japan also for overseas. Now Seki is renowned as “Cutlery City” in Japan. Also, their traditional production of Japanese swords has been handing down today by swordsmiths in Seki.