About Sanjo Uchihamono
Sanjo Uchihamono are forged bladed tools produced in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture. The formation of the metal processing production area is said to have originated around 1600 in the early Edo period when Sanjo farmers began making Japanese nails as a side business during the agricultural off-season, later developing into agricultural cutting tools such as sickles and hoes. As part of the Tsubame-Sanjo metalworking cluster, it now produces a wide range of forged blades including carpenter tools such as chisels and planes, as well as agricultural and forestry cutting tools including kitchen knives, sickles, and hoes. Known as a high-quality blade production area where craftspeople's techniques are concentrated from material selection through heat treatment and polishing.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 三条鍛冶道場 hands-on experience