Kiya is one of Japan’s leading kitchen knife brands, with its main store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. it was established in 1792.
This article introduces the history and features of the historic knife brand as well as its popular products.
Brand Story of Kiya Knives
Kiya was founded by Isuke Kato in 1792 in Tokyo (then Edo).
The roots of Kiya cutlery can be traced back to 1573 when Kiya was founded in Kyoto. Isuke Kato worked for Kiya and was allowed to establish his own store with kiya brand. However, there was a condition that he would not sell the same products. That is why Isuke Kato started to sell cutlery knives and it has become one of the most Japanese knife brands. Now the 9th generation Kiya owner Kinya Kato runs the store.
The Kiya brand has a history that dates back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573) and has long been loved by many Japanese, from professional chefs to home cooks.
Pupular products of Kiya Knives
Here are some of the features and costs of the most popular Kiya knives.
Danjuro
This Japanese kitchen knife is named after Ichikawa Danjuro, a Kabuki actor, a traditional Japanese performing arts theater.
The knife is made of a hard material and is characterized by its long-lasting sharpness.
It also uses an octagonal buffalo handle, which becomes more familiar and easier to handle the more you use it, making it one of Kiya’s finest products. There are three types of knives: de-ba knife, sashimi knife, and nakiri knife.
The cost is around 30,000 yen, which is a typical price for a full-fledged Japanese kitchen knife.
Knife with Sumi-nagashi pattern
We also offer Western-style kitchen knives with beautiful Suminagashi patterns.
The material we use is VG10, a stainless steel that is rust-resistant and easy to clean, yet boasts a high level of sharpness.
We also offer beef knives and petite knives as types of kitchen knives.
The cost is around 25,000 yen, which is a common price for a full-fledged kitchen knife.
Yoshihisa
These knives are made with the hope that they will be used in general households.
These knives are designed to be sharp and easy to sharpen, making them ideal for home use.
We have a variety of kitchen knives, such as the nakiri and de-bade knives, as well as the sashimi knife, Masao.
The cost is around 10,000 yen, which is a reasonable price for a full-fledged kitchen knife.
Store information
The main store is located in the Nihonbashi Main Store Coredo, near Tokyo Station, and offers not only products for sale, but also advice on sharpening and sharpening services.
There are also several other stores in Osaka, Fukuoka, Chiba, etc. where you can actually see the products.
Best Place to Buy Kiya Knives
If you are from overseas, we recommend you to buy Kiya knives at HOCHO KNIFE, an online store selling Japanese kitchen knives for overseas.
HOCHO KNIVES uses Fedex to deliver products overseas at a reasonable price.
