Takeshi Saji: Japan’s Master Samurai Sword Maker – Craftsmanship, Clientele & Cultural Legacy
Company Overview

Takeshi Saji, based in Echizen City (formerly Takefu), Fukui Prefecture, is Japan’s most revered samurai sword manufacturer. Founded by master blacksmith Takeshi Saji, the workshop specializes in hand-forged blades using techniques honed over 50 years. Recognized as a “Traditional Craftsman” by Japan’s Ministry of Economy in 1992, Saji’s studio produces only 200-300 swords annually, each requiring 3-6 months of meticulous craftsmanship79.

Location & Production
Address: Takefu Town, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture – the heart of Japan’s sword-making heritage.

Production Scale: Exclusively artisanal; no industrial mass production.

Materials & Techniques
Steel:

Tamahagane: Traditional Japanese steel smelted from iron sand and charcoal at sub-1,100°C to remove impurities9.

Damascus Steel: The “Kamui Hunter” series uses Hitachi White Steel No.2 Damascus, layered 65+ times for unique wave patterns (Hardness: 60-62 HRc)7.

Craftsmanship:

Forging: 15-step process including folding, clay-tempering (Mizuheshi), and polishing.

Edge Grinding: 20-30 days of hand-polishing to achieve razor sharpness9.

Product Lines & Pricing
Kamui Hunter: Hunting/collector’s knife (410mm total length;
3
,
000
−
3,000−5,000)7.

Custom Katana:
10
,
000
−
10,000−50,000+, with 1-year lead time9.

Market Analysis
Top Clients
High-profile buyers include the Japanese Imperial Family, Tokyo National Museum, and European nobility.

Retail Channels
Direct Sales: Echizen workshop visits.

Luxury Retailers: Tokyo’s Japan Sword Gallery.

Global Exhibitions: Blade Show (USA), Solingen Knife Fair (Germany)79.

SEO Strategy
Title (Under 300 Characters)
"Takeshi Saji Samurai Swords: Japan’s Legendary Bladesmith | Craftsmanship, Pricing & Clientele Revealed"

Meta Description (Under 500 Characters)
Explore Takeshi Saji’s samurai swords – forged with Tamahagane steel and 500-year-old techniques. Learn about Kamui Hunter (
33,000+),customkatanas(10,000-$50,000), and elite clients (museums, royalty). Discover why his blades dominate luxury markets and combat imitation threats.