Kisuke Manaka

Kisuke Manaka is a relatively young, 5th generation, blacksmith in Kasukabe, Saitama pref. His father-in-law was a wholesaler masquerading as a blacksmith, and Manaka-san didn’t like the dishonest way his father-in-law operated his business so he decided to become a blacksmith himself. He didn’t have anyone who could teach him, but he had a pile of equipment that he had inherited such as a spring hammer, a sharpening wheel, etc. He began making knives from scratch about 10 years ago and experienced many years of struggle and learning from his struggles. Through sheer force of effort, he developed the technique to forge-weld steels in house, even forge welding stainless steel which is no easy task.

Blacksmith Kisuke Manaka
Made in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata, Japan

19 products

About Kisuke Manakas

Kisuke Manaka is a relatively young, 5th generation, blacksmith in Kasukabe, Saitama pref. He married into a blacksmithing family and decided to become a blacksmith himself. He didn’t have anyone who could teach him, as his father in-law mostly retailed knives,  but he had a pile of equipment that he had inherited. He began making knives from scratch about 10 years ago and experienced many years of struggle and learning from his struggles. Through sheer force of effort, he developed the technique to forge-weld steels in house, even forge welding stainless steel which is no easy task.

In 2025, Manaka-san relocated to Sanjo city, a mecca for knifemakers, so he could be surrounded by other makers who he could learn from and share ideas with. Already an exceptional craftsman and artist, we are very excited to see where this change takes him.

Articles and videos

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/59sx_t4JrXg

    Masashi Yamamoto

  • Toshihiro Wakui

    Toshihiro Wakui

    Toshihiro Wakui-san is a third-generation maker of hand-forged crowbars who pivoted his business to knife making when hand-made crowbars went out of fashion. He mastered the art in four short years apprenticing under Kazuomi Yamamoto of Yoshikane and got to work making his own knives. Working completely solo in a rather chaotic workshop a la Doc Brown, he produces gorgeous blades with excellent fit and finish.
  • Naoki Mazaki

    Naoki Mazaki

  • Mutsumi Hinoura

    Mutsumi Hinoura

    Mutsumi Hinoura is the son of renowned blacksmith Tsukasa Hinoura. In his late thirties, he is already considered one of Japan’s most revered blacksmiths. For nearly 2 decades, he studied with his father and is the 4th generation to carry on the family craft. Mutsumi-san lives in Sanjo, in the Niigata region. This area is known for its handmade cutlery. In 2001, he graduated from Niigata College of Engineering. From there, he began his career as a blacksmith, honing his craft to produce blades with traditional style and modern performance. Mutsumi-san continues to work under the family brand, Ajikataya (味方屋). They specialize in producing traditional bladed tools, including Japanese hatchets. His recent foray into kitchen knives has produced some stunning blades, and we can't wait to see where his career takes him.
  • Tomoo Matsumura

    Tomoo Matsumura