Kyoto Blacksmith-led Japanese Kajiya Knife-making Class – Full Day

“A moving experience is waiting for metal to be reborn as a knife.” — Fusataro, Swordsmith

Be part of “history in the making” at the heart of Japan, where legendary swordsmith Taro-san is modernizing the art of sword-making. Over the course of eight hours, you will glean a fragment of 25 generations’ worth of knowledge and craftsmanship passed down through the centuries.

In 2015, this tour became possible when Taro-san began to accept students at occasional knife-making workshops. That gave enthusiastic hobbyists the chance to learn from one of the few genuine Japanese swordsmiths still practicing the art of kajiya today.

This amazing cultural experience begins bright and early with a pick-up at the Gifu-Hashima Station. As soon as we arrive at the forge, the workshop begins under the supervision of Taro and his apprentices. The team will go over the knife forging process, before leading participants to choose which shape of knife they would like to make.

The morning will be spent hammering the steel into a basic shape on the anvil and heating the carbon metal in a hundred-year-old forge. Afterwards, everyone will be treated to a well-appointed lunch home-cooked by Taro's wife Rika – the perfect break after a morning of exertion. In the afternoon, the focus will be on further shaping the knife handle and blade, and tempering the knife using an oil technique.

Finally, you’ll be shown how to engrave a symbol on the handle to represent your signature. At the end of the day, you’ll be going home with several things: photos of you in action taken by the team, a splendid knife of your own design, and a rare hands-on experience with a living legend. (Pro tip: Want to please the teacher? His favorite beers are IPA and Yale!)

“This is not a ‘tourist thing’ but a very special experience that lets you learn about Japan's history, craftsmanship and old way of life in a very personal and physical way.” — Billy, USA