A Showcase of Sakai’s Traditional Industries
Sakai Densho-kan is divided into two floors, each offering a different way to discover the city’s traditional crafts and industries.
1st Floor: Discover the Craftsmen’s Skills
The first floor is home to a knife exhibition and sales area, where visitors can explore a wide range of Sakai products.
TAKUMI SHOP
TAKUMI SHOP offers Sakai-made products including Sakai Uchihamono knives, Chusen-wasara textiles, incense, kombu products, traditional sweets associated with Sakai, tea, soy sauce, and other local specialties.
The knife section carries products suitable for everyone from home cooks to professional chefs, while the traditional crafts section introduces items such as dyed textiles, incense, kombu, and woven floor coverings.
Visitors can also find Japanese sweets, tea, soy sauce, and other foods connected with Sakai, making the shop a convenient place to find gifts and souvenirs.
2nd Floor: A Place for Cultural Exchange
The second floor features the Sakai Knife Museum “CUT” and TAKUMI EXHIBITION, where visitors can learn about Sakai’s traditional industries and the history of knife making.
TAKUMI EXHIBITION
TAKUMI EXHIBITION presents the history, production methods, tools, and techniques associated with Sakai’s traditional industries.
Exhibits include Chusen and Nassen dyeing techniques, Wasara textiles, and Sakai May Koinobori carp streamers. Demonstrations and hands-on activities, including knife-sharpening lessons and incense-making experiences, are also available.
Sakai Knife Museum “CUT”
The Sakai Knife Museum “CUT” explains the history and manufacturing processes of Sakai knives through actual objects, models, and illustrations. Visitors can also see knives designed for a wide range of purposes.
One of the museum’s most striking features is “HIBANA,” a chandelier made using the materials of approximately 300 knives. Its distinctive design and brilliant appearance make it a memorable symbol of the museum.
TAKUMI SHOP: Discover Sakai’s Finest Products
Choose a Knife for Your Needs
The knife section displays many different types of knives along the walls, allowing visitors to compare them according to their intended use.
Professional knives are arranged by maker or brand, making it easier to compare different products and find one that matches your preferences.
Traditional Industries and Local Products
The traditional crafts section features Chusen-wasara textiles, incense, kombu, and other products associated with Sakai’s traditional industries.
Alongside everyday seasonings and other useful items, visitors can choose carefully crafted products that make excellent gifts.
Learning About the History of Sakai Knives
Origins and Development
Sakai has developed into one of Japan’s important centers of knife production. Stone knives were already being used here during the Yayoi period, approximately 2,000 years ago.
During the Muromachi period, Sakai became known for producing tobacco knives through trade with foreign merchants. These knives eventually became a product under the exclusive control of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The Sengoku Period and Firearms Production
In 1543, firearms were introduced to Japan by the Portuguese. Sakai subsequently became an important center for firearm production.
The development of ironworking techniques associated with the firearms industry also contributed to further advances in Sakai’s knife-making industry.
Development from the Edo Period Onward
During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate recognized the quality of Sakai knives and authorized them as an exclusive product bearing the official seal “Sakai Kiwame.”
This helped establish the reputation of Sakai knives throughout Japan.
How Sakai Uchihamono Knives Are Made
Forging
Blade construction: A soft iron base metal and steel are joined together in a process known as hagane-zuke, or steel attachment.
Annealing: The heated metal is cooled in a controlled process to prepare it for further work.
Hardening and tempering: The blade is heated and cooled through carefully controlled processes to increase its hardness and create the desired cutting performance.
Sharpening
Craftsmen use specialized tools to correct distortion in the blade and carefully sharpen it. Their accumulated experience and skill are essential for producing the exceptionally sharp edge associated with Sakai knives.
Handle Fitting
The final handle is fitted and finished by hand, one knife at a time, completing the craftsmanship process.
A Hands-On Experience of Sakai’s Craftsmanship
Sakai HAMONO Museum offers more than an introduction to knives. Visitors can explore the history of Sakai’s traditional industries, observe craftsmen’s techniques, and experience aspects of traditional production themselves.
For travelers interested in Japanese craftsmanship, culinary culture, traditional industries, and locally made souvenirs, the museum provides an opportunity to see how skills passed down through generations continue to shape Sakai today.
Access
Sakai Densho-kan is approximately a 3-minute walk southwest from Myokokuji-mae Station on the Hankai Tramway Hankai Line.
With its extensive knife displays, traditional craft exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, the Sakai HAMONO Museum is a valuable place to learn about one of Japan’s best-known cutlery-making traditions and experience the craftsmanship of Sakai at close range.