About SAKAI ICHIMONJI MITSUHIDE

Our History

Our founder, Hisaka Tanaka, was mobilized by schoolmen to work in an iron processing plant during World War II.

Just as the war had passed and peace had been restored, tragedy struck. Hisaka lost his father in 1945 and his mother in 1948 to illness.

Hisaka was 18 years old at the time, and he wanted to send his younger brother Umewaka (the current manager) to college. Through a relative's introduction, he worked at the Kawanishi Kitchen Store in Doguya-suji. Still, he held one thought in his heart.

The photo is the Teikoku Sharyo Works, where Hisaka Tanaka was employed. (1912, the time when it was on the name Umebachi Ironworks). Photo courtesy of Makoto Ikuta of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Real Estate Co., Ltd.

The Desire to Use Ironworking Skills to Make Knives.

He visited Sakai to learn how to make knives from a master craftsman.

Hisaka Tanaka (center) introducing the knife-making process (1987).

Hisaka Tanaka is second from the left in the front row (1951).

It was there that Hisaka learned about craftsmanship, which was unbelievable even at that time.

He lowers the hammer in front of the 1,100-degree flame to discern the slightest difference in color and temper it to sharpen with great attention to detail. Hisaka learned to make knives with skill and soul, and his desire to spread this to the world grows stronger every day.

1953. With the permission of his business mentor Tsurukichi Kawanishi, Hisaka Tanaka opened his long-sought kitchen knife shop in Doguya-suji.

Our shop is one of the few places where chefs from all over Japan can come and pick up over 2,000 different kinds of knives in response to various requests. The craftsmanship and passion of Hisaka Tanaka, our founder, is still alive and well today.

Japanese Chef Knives by Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide

As we see the widespread of Japanese cuisine throughout the world, we can also find many different food cultures within Japan. Amidst this diversified food scene, there is a kitchenware street fondly called "the Kitchen of Japan" in Osaka's food capital. It is here within the Doguyasuji Lane that we have been situated for the past century.

Backed by the skills of the craftsmen who have been continuously improving their techniques for more than 600 years, the Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide brand has been trusted by top culinary masters for generations. Furthermore, we continue to evolve every aspect of our craft and customer service.

Through frequent interactions to respond to chefs' needs and building trusting relationships with master knife craftsmen, we now have grown to become the world's only knife store with more than 2,000 products.

If you visit Japan, we hope you will drop by our long-established shop where the spirits of true culinary masters and craftsmen meet. We look forward to providing you with our premium knives designed to last a lifetime.

President's Greeting

Since my grandfather, Hisaka Tanaka, was engaged in knife making in Sakai and founded the company to bring knives to more people, I have the same desire.

Japanese kitchen knives are tools that can accompany you through your life or even into the next generation. It's not unusual to receive a 40-year-old kitchen knife with a sharpening service ticket, saying, "This is the knife my grandfather used."

We are proud to have supported many users over the years and created Japanese food culture in Doguyasuji. This iconic shopping street is where professional chefs come to set up their restaurants. We're thrilled you'll be able to pick up one of our kitchen knives and draw a new page in culinary culture in your country.

Ryo Tanaka President, Ichimonji Chuki Co., Ltd.

Ryo Tanaka

Ryo Tanaka President

Company Profile

Company Name Ichimonji Chuki, Ltd.
Headquarter Office 3rd to 5th floor, Ichimonji Chuki Head Office Building, 14-8 Namba-Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0075, Japan
Retail Store B1 to 2nd floor of the above
Tel +81 6-6633-9393
Business Activities
  • Manufacturing and sale of chef knives
  • Kitchen design and installation
  • Sale of related products, including cooking utensils
Establishment August 1952 (current location)
Incorporation January 1975 Capital 40 million yen
Representative Director Ryo Tanaka
Memberships
  • Sennichimae Dogusujiya Shopping District Promotion Association
  • Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Osaka Yumei Daitenkai
  • Minami Akindo Club
  • Osaka Food & Beverage Equipment Cooperative