Hi, I'm Shiba — the person behind this site, writing from Japan.
I believe Japanese cooking is delicate enough that a single knife can change the
taste of a dish. To me, that's the essence of "wa no kokoro" (the spirit of Japanese
craftsmanship) — caring not just about ingredients and tableware, but about the
tools themselves.
Living in Japan gives me direct access to specialist knife retailers, kintsugi
artisans, and sashiko practitioners — the kind of hands-on comparison that's hard
to do from overseas. Every recommendation here is based on comparing real product
specs, cross-checking reviews from Japanese and international buyers, and talking
directly with sellers when specs are unclear — with the goal of giving guidance that
actually holds up once you're using the tool at home.
Some links on this site are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you
make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I've researched
thoroughly enough to stand behind.
Questions or suggestions? Feel free to reach out.
