Sakai Knife Museum, Knife museum in Sakai-ku, Japan
The Sakai Knife Museum is housed in Sakai-ku and displays a collection of traditional Japanese blades including kitchen knives, tools for farming and other work, and specialized cutting instruments used across Japan. The exhibits show different types and styles that have been made in this region for centuries.
Sakai became known as a major knife-making center during the Muromachi period, producing blades for merchants and workers across Japan. The city has held this position for many centuries and this craft remains central to its identity.
Local craftsmen demonstrate here how they shape and sharpen blades using methods that have been taught from one generation to the next in this community. You can observe these traditional skills still being practiced as part of daily workshop life.
The museum offers hands-on workshops where you can learn blade sharpening and care techniques from experienced craftspeople. It is worth checking ahead to see which workshops are available during your visit so you can plan your time accordingly.
The museum runs a specialized repair clinic where experts examine and restore traditional Japanese knives while sharing knowledge about proper maintenance. This kind of service is uncommon in other museums and reflects how living craftsmanship is still part of this place.
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