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Forge a Japanese Knife in Kochi

©VISIT KOCHI JAPAN　　

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Forge a Japanese Knife in Kochi

Create your own handmade knife through traditional forging, hand-grinding, and finishing techniques during your travels in Shikoku

Kochi Prefecture

Sakoda Hamono is a specialist knife workshop in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to making Tosa Uchi cutlery, a traditional craft that has been passed down since the 1500s.

While Japanese knives are renowned worldwide for their precision and craftsmanship, Tosa blades originated as essential tools for agriculture and forestry. In this region with rich natural resources and timber, traditional sword smithing techniques merged with practical toolmaking to create durable, high-performance blades.

A key feature of Tosa Uchi cutlery is the free forging technique, a fully manual process in which artisans hand-hammer and shape heated steel. This method results in knives of exceptional sharpness, strength, and longevity, each uniquely tailored to the user. Due to its historical and cultural significance, Tosa Uchi cutlery has been officially designated as a Traditional Craft of Japan.

At Sakoda Hamono, you can take part in a hands-on workshop guided by a skilled craftsperson. You’ll experience traditional hand-grinding methods and even try forging your own blade, connecting directly with the heart of Kochi’s craftsmanship.

The workshop lasts approximately six hours, excluding a one-hour lunch break. At the end of the session, you’ll take home the knife you personally crafted.