Satoshi Nakagawa is one of the most respected younger blacksmiths working today in Sakai, a city long regarded as the heart of traditional Japanese knife making. Sixteen years ago, Nakagawa-san began his apprenticeship under the legendary master Kenichi Shiraki, widely considered one of the finest blacksmiths Japan has ever produced. When Shiraki-san retired and closed his workshop in 2020, the responsibility of carrying on his techniques and philosophy was passed to Nakagawa-san, his only deshi (direct disciple). In April 2021, Nakagawa established his own forge, Nakagawa Hamono, where he continues to push the craft forward while preserving the discipline he inherited from his master. Nakagawa-san is particularly admired for his extraordinary heat treatment and is believed to be among only a handful of blacksmiths in the world capable of producing true mizu-honyaki knives from Shirogami #1 steel, a process that demands exceptional control, experience, and risk. Completing these blades is the work of master sharpener Masaya Shimizu, a highly skilled craftsman who previously worked at Yamawaki Hamono and has earned a reputation for his precise and refined work, especially with single-bevel knives. Shimizu-san often shares his sharpening and restoration process on the YouTube channel Hatsukeya 刃付け屋, where his meticulous attention to blade geometry and edge performance can be clearly seen. Bringing together artisans like Nakagawa and Shimizu is Touroku Sakai, a company led by its third-generation owner with the goal of connecting some of Japan’s most skilled craftsmen and sharing their work with the world. Through decades of experience and strong relationships across Japan’s knife-making regions, Touroku Sakai curates authentic blades that showcase the heritage, technique, and artistry behind traditional Japanese knives.