The knives that are forged one by one by craftsmen are not just sharp.
It includes everything from Japanese culture and history, artistry, traditional techniques, and the spirit of the craftsmen.
We want to be the ``connector'' that connects the ``creator (blacksmith)'' to the ``user (cook).''
HAGAKURE's corporate identity is ``Spreading traditional Japanese cutlery around the world and helping people involved in cooking.'' Therefore, we promise to understand more deeply than anyone else the history, culture, and raison d'être of cutlery, and to continue communicating its value and appeal.
Knives have supported the Japanese diet since ancient times, but because they have been such a familiar tool in daily life, they have tended to be undervalued. However, in these days when cheap, so to speak, disposable cutlery is mass produced and consumed, the value of the forged cutlery, which is the opposite of that, is being reconsidered.
At our company, our representatives visit the production areas many times, meet and negotiate with craftsmen, and purchase products directly. This is because, as a ``connector'' who bridges the gap between ``creators'' and ``users,'' we believe that listening to the voices of the people in the field should be prioritized above all else.
Society is changing every moment. Cutlery craftsmen also place importance on tradition while constantly taking on innovative challenges. What is the knife that the times demand?
With the theme of Cutting Edge of Tradition, HAGAKURE will continue to take on challenges in order to contribute to the creation of a richer food culture. We hope that many people will enjoy using the world's best knives.
HAGAKURE Co., Ltd. Representative Director Yuichi Murakami
Echizen, Tosa, Miki, Sakai... cutlery production areas scattered throughout the country. Its roots vary from Japanese swords to carpentry tools to cutlery used in forestry. However, what they have in common is that they are essential tools for daily life. Although this is not limited to cutlery, the element that the Japanese have sought from tools since ancient times is how long they can be used, in other words, in a game of "disposable items" that is prevalent in modern society.
Knives are made by hammering steel and soft iron together using a unique Japanese technique called fire forging. It is sharp, strong, sticky, and does not easily chip. It is the crystallization of the skills and wisdom of our ancestors created hundreds of years ago. This has not changed even today in the information society and AI era. This is why Japanese blacksmiths are considered artists in other countries, where knives and manufacturing methods like Japan did not exist.
Furthermore, Japan is a major country in terms of kitchen knives, and the variety of knives available is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. This is a product of the rich nature and the food culture that has developed with the benefit of it, and at the same time, it has the ultimate in functionality and beauty. Regardless of the type, if you take good care of your knives, they will last a lifetime, or last for two or three generations.
In recent years, there has been a wide variety of designs such as ripples made of multi-layered steel, Damascus patterns, and hammer marks, which please the eye of those who choose them. Their beauty and high quality are highly praised overseas, and knives made by popular blacksmiths continue to be in short supply.
We, HAGAKURE, are the first knife shop in Japan that requires reservations. This is to explain the knives to our customers.
The brand name HAGAKURE comes from the classic book ``Hagakure,'' which summarized the doctrines passed down to the Saga Nabeshima domain during the Edo period. It summarizes the spirit of Japanese Bushido and the doctrine of how to live as a person.
We believe that the Japanese spirit resides in everyday tools. Therefore, we place great importance on the tradition and artistry within our knives.
We have a variety of products that can only be found here, such as knives that are specialized for preparing chicken, and machete knives that combine the advantages of a kitchen knife and a hatchet.
Custom-made lacquered patterns are especially popular with overseas customers. Particularly popular are those with the torii gate of Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine as a motif and marbling lacquer patterns that are reminiscent of Japanese patterns.
There is also a lacquer pattern series called ``Hyakuman Isshin,'' named after the words left by Motonari Mori, a warlord from Hiroshima.
In this way, as a specialty cutlery store, we are disseminating not only the quality of Japanese knives, but also their historical, cultural, and craft aspects.
Another feature of HAGAKURE style is its location.
Kure City is located southeast of Hiroshima, facing the scenic Seto Inland Sea. It once developed as the number one military port in Asia, including the construction of the battleship Yamato.
We provide our customers with special information recommended by locals, such as sightseeing spots and local gourmet food. For customers from overseas, our staff can attend directly to you for an additional fee.
By the way, the original meaning of the kanji ``Hagakure'' in ``HAGAKURE'' is ``hidden leaf'' or ``hidden in the leaves.'' Our company emblem represents the essence of what is hidden in the flame-forged blade and leaves.
I want to be an indispensable part of society, even though I am hidden and inconspicuous. It also contains such thoughts.
We hope that you will enjoy a rich and enjoyable cooking life with the knives we offer.
