Katana Forging with a Licensed Swordsmith
Forge your own kitchen knife from tamahagane, the steel of samurai swords, working one on one with an award-winning young swordsmith in Seki.
- Location
- Seki, Gifu
- Price
- Adult ¥132,000 (Price shown is per person.)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Languages
- English (the swordsmith guides you in English)
- Group size
- Private, your party only
Seki has forged blades for over seven hundred years. In this private workshop you work a raw block of tamahagane, the same steel used for samurai swords, through the real forging process with a licensed swordsmith at your side. You heat and hammer the steel into shape, apply the clay yourself and set your own hamon (temper line), then grind, sharpen and fit the handle. Every step is hands on. The smith narrates the whole experience in English, and you leave with a finished knife that is entirely your own.
- Forge your own kitchen knife from tamahagane, the steel of samurai swords
- Hammer the steel and set your own hamon (temper line)
- Learn one on one from an award-winning young master swordsmith
- Take home the finished knife you forged yourself
A licensed swordsmith
Only a small number of smiths in Japan hold a licence to forge traditional swords.
You would learn from a master whose lineage reaches back generations, in a workshop that opens its doors to just a handful of visitors each year. This is the heart of the experience: not a demonstration, but time spent beside someone who has given their life to the craft.
Your host is a rising young master swordsmith and a winner of the Kanzan Prize at the NBTHK Contemporary Swordsmith Exhibition. He guides and narrates the whole experience in English himself.
The Experience
- 01
13:00
Welcome at the forge
Meet the swordsmith, hear how Seki became Japan's blade town, and get to know tamahagane, the steel your knife will be forged from.
- 02
13:30
Heat and hammer
Work your block of tamahagane at the fire, heating and hammering it into the shape of your knife under the smith's one-on-one guidance.
- 03
15:00
Clay and hamon
Apply the clay coating yourself and quench the blade to set your own hamon, the temper line that makes every blade unique.
- 04
16:00
Grind, sharpen, finish
Grind and sharpen the edge, fit the handle, and complete the kitchen knife you will take home.
Location & Access
Booking & Practical Details
- Price
- Adult ¥132,000 (Price shown is per person.)
- Meeting time
- Starting times vary by date. We will confirm your exact time when you book.
The swordsmith's forge in Seki, Gifu. Free on-site parking is available. Free pick-up and drop-off from Mino-Ota Station (the nearest train station) is offered, and pick-up from Gifu or Nagoya Station is available for a surcharge. Please let us know when booking.
- A towel
- Your own drink
Free cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
- Adults only: participants must be 18 or older
- This is a hands-on forging workshop involving fire, blades and a power hammer. A waiver is signed on arrival, and participant accident insurance is included
- Wear clothing you do not mind getting dirty, ideally flame resistant. Long sleeves and long trousers are recommended
- Photos and video are welcome throughout, with no restricted areas
- Runs year round, rain included. Closed 31 Dec to 4 Jan. Obon, Sundays and public holidays are subject to confirmation
Before You Book
- 4-hour private knife-forging workshop led by a master swordsmith
- All materials and tools
- One finished kitchen knife to take home
- English-speaking instruction throughout
- Participant accident insurance
- Free pick-up and drop-off at Mino-Ota Station
- Food and drinks
- Transport to Seki
- Pick-up from Gifu or Nagoya Station (available for a surcharge)
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Every step is guided one on one, and the smith adjusts the pace to you.
Can I take photos?
Yes. Photos and video are welcome throughout, with no restricted areas.
Can children join?
No. The workshop involves fire, blades and a power hammer, so participants must be 18 or older.
Ready to experience this yourself?
Plan your visitTrusted by Japan Culture Enthusiasts
It was a Zen-like immersive experience that taught us not only the technique but also the why: the feelings involved, and our connection to the craft. I was deeply moved that the smith remembered us.
S.SIt deepened my appreciation for Japanese culture: its elegance, harmony, and the way tradition is carried with such respect and authenticity.
H.YThe dojo session was a profound cultural exchange. From the first bow to the final cut, I felt the true spirit and warmth of Japanese swordsmanship.
M.JA dream experience! Our teacher was wonderful, kind, and so much fun to learn from. I am so grateful for this authentic and joyful workshop with my family.
I.KOur maker was incredibly warm, ensuring we truly enjoyed learning the history behind every layer of wax. A private class made it even more special.
M.YNot sure where to begin?
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