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Japan has a long and rich history of making swords, knives, and other blades. You may be familiar with old Japanese movies depicting samurai warriors wielding heavy steel swords or katana. These swords are made with a rare type of steel called Tamahagane, which dates back to the 6th Century AD in Japan.

In this post, we shall examine the history of steel manufacturing and Tamahagane in particular, look at where it is produced, consider what it is used for, and look at the entire process of forging blades from ironsand. We shall start, however, by looking at what Tamahagane is.

When you’re looking for a quality Japanese tool or chef’s knife, the first thing you’re probably going to consider is what it’s made out of. Especially when it comes to bladed tools like chisels, planes and knives, the one question that keeps coming up again and again is: Which steel is best?

There are so many different things to consider when choosing a tool based on its steel. Do you want carbon steel or stainless steel (and which one is best for the job?). Do you want a hard steel, or a soft steel? Do you want Japanese steel, or German steel? How pure is the steel? How expensive is the steel? The list goes on.

This article aims to be a one-stop-shop for all of your questions about steel composition, steel quality, and the best Japanese steel for knives and tools. If you have questions about steel, you’ve come to the right place.

Third in the world, only behind Finland and Sweden, in terms of the forest coverage ratio of its total land area, about two-thirds of Japan’s land area is made up of forests. The result of this ready access to wood has meant that Japanese people have long made copious use of it for building houses (approximately 60% of houses of three stories or below are made of wood) and for their religious buildings (temples and shrines), as well as for various crafts and ornaments.

In this article, we shall take a look at the common types of Japanese wood, the major areas of production for each, and look at their uses and particular qualities, as well as consider some rarer varieties. We shall then round off by looking at the advantages of using Japanese wood when constructing buildings, which include adaptability to Japan’s climate and safe housing in a country prone to earthquakes.

Forests are at the heart of Japan's rich natural environment. In Japan, trees have long played an important role in everything from daily necessities to architecture and art. Japanese trees are a major tourist attraction, with thousands of people traveling from within Japan or coming from overseas to view cherry blossom trees in the spring, as well as Japanese maple trees resplendent in the autumn during the Koyo season. The Japanese people also have a strong spiritual feeling toward trees.

In this article, we shall examine the relationship between Japanese culture and trees, as well as take a look at some different types of Japanese trees, and their various characteristics and uses, which range from purely decorative to highly functional.

The Japanese reputation for exceptional tools isn't just about manufacturing prowess; it is steeped in centuries of skilled blacksmithing. 

Across the island nation of Japan, specific towns and regions became known for their unique craftsmanship and the high-quality tools they have produced. The availability of certain natural resources like iron sand and forests for charcoal, along with the adaptability of skilled metalworkers, helped forge these blacksmithing hubs.

For those who appreciate the precision, durability and functional beauty of Japanese tools, understanding the origin story of these tools can deepen that connection. In this guide, we'll delve into some of the most renowned Japanese blacksmithing towns.

Japanese companies produce some of the most popular gardening tools in the world. From pruning saws, to shears, to hatchets, any list of the top gardening tools typically includes a couple of Japanese brands.

What makes Japanese gardening tool brands so special is their attention to detail, their usage of quality materials like Japanese steel and iron, and their innovations. If you’re looking for your next favorite brand to upgrade your garden shed, consider some of the companies listed below.

Rust is not only unsightly but can cause your tools to stop functioning or at least function less well. It also can be a pain to remove. If you are sufficiently wealthy to just throw away your rusted tools and buy some more, then no problem! Unfortunately, however, most of us do not have this luxury.

In this article, we shall look at what rust is, the causes of rust, and how to prevent it. We shall then list different ways you can remove rust from metal. We shall start with some household remedies before looking at some things you might like to purchase to help you get the job done if more assistance is required.

Whether you have a small garden bed, a large residential garden, or a plot of farmland, you’re going to need a range of gardening equipment to keep things growing smoothly. The gardening section at your local hardware store can be a daunting place. When I was just getting started, I couldn’t tell a soil knife from a watering can!

So to help you on your task to turn both thumbs green, we’ve put together this list of the eight must have garden tools for gardens of all sizes. 

If you use any kind of blade regularly, it will eventually lose its edge. Whether it’s a kitchen knife, a plane, a chisel, or a saw - blades often need replacing or re-sharpening. Sharpening most bladed tools and knives, luckily, is a fairly simple process. In this article we’ll explain how to sharpen a kitchen knife with a Japanese whetstone.