The Japanese Culinary Arts Network (JCAN) is bringing master knife craftsmen to the United States for a tour demonstrating traditional Japanese knife-making, including a stop at the Cook’s Warehouse in Decatur, Ga.
The master craftsmen forged knives and demonstrated how a handle is attached during “The Art of Japanese Knife-making,” a three-hour workshop at the Atlanta area housewares store. The Cook’s Warehouse featured a special sale during the demonstration, offering 20 percent off all Kikuichi knives and accessories, with free hand-engraving by knife master Akimasa Oe.
Mary S. Moore, founder and CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse, also sampled Japanese hors d’oeuvres and sake during the event. Sushi chef Sean Higashida demonstrated sushi-making and sampled his creations too.
The traditional process of forging steel into knives dates back more than 1,000 years in Japan. The methods are still practiced today by a handful of skilled craftsmen using artisan methods to produce blades by hand that are among the best in the world.
The tour features three craftsmen from Sakai City – Oe, Tadashi Enami and Noboru Morinaga – who actually forge knives at the events. Sakai City has been known for its samurai swords for centuries and has now become Japan’s center for fine kitchen cutlery.
“I have visited Sakai City and was amazed at how the Japanese master craftsmen handcraft one of the more important tools in the kitchen,” Moore said in a statement. “Their expertise and care is incredible.”
In addition to Atlanta, the JCAN tour includes forging and engraving events across the country, stopping in Chicago; San Mateo and St. Helena, Calif.; San Francisco; Hyde Park and Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Princeton, N.J. In partnership with Kikuichi Knives, known for its distinguished history crafting Samurai swords, the public can learn about the entire process from raw iron to finished blade.
