Seki Cutlery Festival: Everything You Need to Know!

Seki in Gifu Prefecture, is one of the world’s top three cutlery production regions. Many professional chefs and home cooks love Seki knives for their sharpness, balance, and long-lasting performance.

The city is also famous for the annual Seki Cutlery Festival, attracting many collectors and visitors who are fans of knives and swords. Let’s explore the charm and unique highlights of this special festival!

What is the Seki Cutlery Festival?

The Seki Cutlery Festival, Hamono Matsuri, occurs in early October. It began in 1968 and has been held every year since then. It has become the biggest event of the year for people in Seki and attracts visitors from all over Japan. 

Seki is known as the city of swords since it has been famous for making blades for hundreds of years. The festival was created to celebrate this tradition and to let people learn more about the skill and art of cutlery-making. 

This lively festival is not just about kitchen knives or swords, though they are a big part of it. It’s also a cheerful event where visitors can enjoy yummy local food, explore craft stalls, and watch stage shows that share stories of tradition and craftsmanship. People can even watch demonstrations of how blades are forged and polished.

What is the history of Japanese knives in Seki?

In Seki, the art of knife making began hundreds of years ago during the 13th century. It all started when a skilled swordsmith named Motoshige moved to the area, drawn by the city’s perfect natural conditions. The city had everything a blacksmith needed: clean rivers for cooling hot steel, strong pine charcoal from nearby forests to fuel the fires, and rich iron sand for making blades.

Thanks to this, this place quickly became known all over Japan as a special destination for crafting sharp, strong, and beautiful swords. By the Muromachi period, more than 300 swordsmiths worked in Seki, creating blades so well made that samurai warriors treasured them.

As times changed and Japan entered the modern age, swords became less needed. In the Meiji era, laws that stopped people from carrying swords in public were passed. Instead, they used their skills to create practical everyday tools such as kitchen knives, scissors, and razors. These new blades kept the same care and quality as the swords before them. Slowly, Seki became known as a city of swords and a world-famous place for fine knives. 

Today, Seki is home to hundreds of companies and craftspeople who continue this proud tradition. Many workshops still follow the old ways, using fire, water, and skilled hands to shape every knife carefully. At the same time, they also use new tools and materials to meet the needs of modern kitchens.

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What are some features of the festival?

A big cutlery shopping adventure

One of the most exciting parts of the festival is the Cutlery Great Bargain Market. Over 40 local factories and shops line the main street and sell all kinds of blades at special festival prices. You can find everything from kitchen knives and scissors to nail clippers and outdoor knives. Some of these items are only sold during the festival.

Many collectors come to Seki to find the best deals on high-quality tools made by expert hands. You can also visit the Outdoor Knife Show, where excellent custom-made knives from all over Japan and other countries are displayed. There are shiny, stylish, and rare blades you may not find anywhere else.

Live sword shows and real blacksmithing.

At the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum, visitors can watch swordsmiths in traditional clothing demonstrate how real Japanese swords are made. The fire, sparks, and sound of the hammer hitting the steel create an exciting and magical scene. They use a special steel called tamahagane, and old techniques have been passed down for hundreds of years.

You can also see iaido and battoujutsu performances, where skilled artists draw swords quickly and perform incredible moves with excellent control. Some groups even act out samurai sword battles like in the movies. These live shows truly bring the spirit of ancient Japan.

Fun for families and gourmands

As you walk through the streets, you’ll hear cheerful festival music and see people dancing and smiling. There are stalls selling yummy festive treats such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes), taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes), and cheesy “Ten Yen Bread”. Plus, you can sip green tea straight from the local farms while enjoying the smell of grilled squid in the air. 

Families with children love the joyful atmosphere and the many colorful booths to explore. There’s also the Feather Museum of Razors, where kids and adults can learn about razors, blades, and even ancient tools, all fun and hands-on.

Why should I head to the Seki Cutlery Festival?

If you enjoy learning about traditions, exploring handmade crafts, or simply experiencing something different, the Seki Cutlery Festival offers a chance to do all that in one place. It’s a place where history meets creativity, old forging skills are still alive, and modern designs share space with traditional tools. 

Attending the festival is also a way to support local makers and keep these crafts alive for future generations. Even if you don’t buy a knife or a sword, being there adds to the energy and helps keep the tradition strong. So, which part of the festival would you be most excited to experience? Let me know in the comments!