Seki, Japan, in Gifu Prefacture, is every Japanese knife enthusiast’s destination. Set among the ethereal landscape is the land formed of everything good and useful for making good, hard steel. Seki’s blade history dates back to the days of the Samauri, when great swords and strong armor were needed to fight the battles raging during the Kamakura Period of Japan (1185-1333). In a complete, unbroken line the tradition of artistry and excellence has imbued the region.The land is literally composed of everything needed for forging the finest metals – high availability of iron, charcoal and water. Truly, Seki is Japan’s capitol for knives, swords and fine metalwork.Seki holds a tradition of great advances in knife technology.
Our longtime buyers know ePrague for providing an excellent selection of Buck Knives and many other amazing brands such as Case XX, Kershaw, etc. Over the last few years, we have developed our connection with the knifemaking capitol of Japan – Seki. So you will now find hundreds of rare Seki-made knives available from us. Many of the Seki knives we have for sale are exclusive closeouts that will never be seen again. Keep checking back, because more are listed each day!
In an effort to find even more awesome knives, we are visiting Seki Japan. While there, we will be giving updates on our blog, also providing inside information on the factories, museums, and knifemakers he is visiting there. Stay tuned!
Visiting Seki, the knifemaking capitol of Japan – Getting there:
It was a long journey from the United States to Seki via Eastern China airlines but well worth it. I had scoured the internet for information about the flight connection in Shanghai, China to Nagoya, Japan but didn’t find much. Others had said that you have to go through immigration in Shanghai Pudong airport in order to transfer-connect to another international flight.
Maybe that is outdated information, but I found it easy to get to my connecting flight. I did not have to go through immigration, just a passport check and regular security check (you do want your itinerary handy if you don’t have your ticket yet). It probably took 30 minutes before I walked into Starbucks and waited for my connecting flight.
Arriving in Nagoya, I took the train to meet my ride. Oh, you lose a day when traveling to Japan, so I arrived a day and a half later but with time to visit the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum. This is a smaller museum, but well worth the visit for the initiated.
The museum guides the visitor through the entire swordmaking process with displays and examples of fine craftsmanship. The incredible collection of samurai swords will blow your mind away. There is also a collection of knives from more recent manufacturers on the second floor. Bob Loveless visited Seki some years ago and several of his knives are featured in this collection.
Seki is a quiet town, off the beaten tourist trails, but it is the home of Japan’s greatest bladesmiths.
View some of the timeless blades below. Above is the a picture of the 50th anniversary plaque commemorating the Seki Cutlery Festival.
