Why Yoshimune is Your Choice for Quality Japanese Knives

For centuries, the art of forging Japanese kitchen knives has been passed down from generation to generation. Hiroyuki Tazawa, a passionate artisan, established Yoshimune Kitchen Knives to keep this tradition alive and flourishing.

Our company is dedicated to bringing you the best in handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives made by skilled master craftsmen. When you choose Yoshimune, you can trust that you are getting a blade that is not only of the finest quality but also steeped in centuries of tradition and expertise. Here are just a few of the reasons why our customers choose Yoshimune.

Blacksmith-Direct Pricing

At Yoshimune Kitchen Knives, we pride ourselves on offering the highest quality Japanese kitchen knives at unbeatable prices.

How do we do it? By cutting out the middleman and managing the company directly. Our team of approximately 20 dedicated blacksmith craftsmen produces our famous handmade Japanese kitchen knives daily. By not going through an intermediary distribution system, we can pass on the savings to our customers. With a focus on quality and affordability, it's no wonder our customers rate our price-to-quality ratio so highly.

When you choose Yoshimune, you can trust that you are getting the best value for your money.

A Business Model Where Everyone Wins

Our business model benefits everyone involved. Our focus is on creating a winning experience for all internal and external stakeholders.

First and foremost, our customers are the winners. They get to own a high-quality, hand-struck Japanese kitchen knife at an affordable price. With prices starting at just $85, Yoshimune offers some of the most competitive pricing for Japanese knives.

Our blacksmiths are also winners. By eliminating the middleman and dealing directly with the artisans, we ensure they receive fair compensation for their craftsmanship. The profit margin is often significantly reduced with other companies when wholesalers or large corporations are involved. Yoshimune strives to support the skilled artisans who create our knives and ensure they are fairly compensated for their work.

Forging Strong Connections

The final winner is us. By building solid relationships with blacksmiths and offering our products through an online store and a physical store in Kyoto, we have been able to showcase the work of these skilled artisans to a global audience. The surge of tourists in Japan also allows us to meet many buyers in person and share our passion for traditional Japanese knife-making with them. Bringing together customers, blacksmiths, and our own company creates a win-win-win situation that benefits everyone involved.

Personalized Customer Service

Knife Selection Assistance

Choosing the right Japanese kitchen knife can be overwhelming, especially for those new to this world. We offer personalized assistance to help you select the best knife.

Please take a look at our page "How to choose" to help you choose the right knife for you.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us via Facebook or Instagram Messenger, our contact page, or the widget at the bottom right of the page.

Our team of experts will be happy to help you find the perfect knife and answer any questions.

We aim to provide the same level of service to our online customers as you would receive when visiting our physical store in Kyoto. Contact us today to start your journey toward finding the perfect Japanese kitchen knife.

After-Sales Service

We prioritize customer satisfaction, which is why we offer ongoing support even after the initial purchase. We have received many positive comments from our customers, including the following statement:

The management was highly attentive and committed to the high-quality knives made by these Japanese craftsmen.

Even years after the purchase, we can advise on maintaining and caring for your Japanese knives. Whether you have sharpening, cleaning, or knife care questions, our team is here to help. With Yoshimune, you can trust that you will receive a top-quality Japanese knife and ongoing support and guidance to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.

Crafted by Master Blacksmiths

At Yoshimune Knives, we are committed to preserving the centuries-old art of Japanese knife-making and supporting the skilled artisans who keep this tradition alive. That's why we have partnered directly with 20 nationally renowned blacksmiths in Tosa City to create our knives.

Becoming a full-fledged blacksmith requires years of training and dedication. Unfortunately, the number of young people entering this field is dwindling.

That's why we value the experience and expertise of our artisans and pay not only for the cost of materials and time but also for their years of training and dedication to their craft.

One of our artisans, Mr. Buho Murata, is a true master of his craft. He is one of the few blacksmiths who can forge Aoshi Super Steel. This high-grade carbon steel requires exceptionally high forging techniques. He is also skilled in working with Aogami Super steel, another high-grade material known for its hardness. Mr. Murata has been certified as a traditional Japanese craftsman and a Tosa artisan, and he is widely recognized as one of the best smiths in Japan.

We are proud to have an exclusive partnership with such a skilled and dedicated craftsman and are committed to keeping the art of Japanese knife-making alive for centuries to come.

Expertly-Crafted in Japan

Yoshimune is proud to say that every one of our knives is crafted entirely in Japan, from sourcing the materials to forging and finishing. Whether you choose a paring knife, chef's knife, or any other type, you can trust that it has been made with the utmost care and attention to detail in Japan.

Prioritizing Quality Materials

We prioritize quality above all else. We understand that our customers are discerning and expect top-grade materials, functionality, beauty, and other essential details. That's why we refuse to compromise on these elements in our knives.

Our customers can trust that when they choose a Yoshimune knife, they get a reliable, long-lasting tool that meets all of their requirements. We are confident that our commitment to quality sets us apart from other brands.

Japanese Steel

Yoshimune utilizes two types of steel in our knife production: high-carbon steel and stainless steel. Our high-carbon steel knives are all crafted in Tosa, Japan, where we can access the finest high-carbon steel materials. Meanwhile, our stainless steel knives are made in various locations throughout Japan and provide a versatile option for our customers.

We are also committed to using only the highest-quality steel in our knives. For instance, our Hi-Carbon Blue Paper Super knives are made with the highest-performing blue steel from Shimane Prefecture, Japan. This ensures that our customers can trust in the exceptional durability and performance of their Yoshimune knives.

Partnering with Hitachi Metals (Proteria) for Steel Materials

We work closely with Hitachi Metals, a renowned Japanese steel manufacturer, to source the finest materials for our knives. In addition to Hitachi Metals, we use steel from Takefu Special (VG series) and Aichi steel (AUS series) for our stainless steel knives. These top-quality steel materials come from production centers such as Seki in Gifu and Tsubame Sanjo in Niigata.

Hitachi Metals has a reputation for producing exceptional steel products, including the highly regarded Aoshi steel made at their Yasugi Works location in Shimane. This steel, known as Yasugi Aogami (Blue), is used to create our knives.

It's worth noting that Yasugi City, where Hitachi Metals is located, is the birthplace of tama-hagane, the material used to make Japanese swords. This rich history and expertise in steelmaking give us confidence in the superior quality of our Yoshimune knives.

Experience the Quality of Yoshimune's Kitchen Knives

We are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest-quality kitchen knives, crafted with attention to detail and backed by centuries of craftsmanship. From material selection to forging and post-sale service, we strive to exceed our customers' expectations.

Please browse our selection and find the perfect knife for your needs. If you have questions or need assistance choosing, don't hesitate to contact us or refer to our comparison table. We look forward to helping you find the perfect knife for your kitchen.