Journeys in Japan S2011E14 - Seki City, Gifu

In this week's journeys in japan, we visit the Seki city in Gifu Prefecture. Seki city beats number one production of cutlery in Japan. At this time traveler Johan Gathright visits a city known for its cutlery industry and discovers its technical mastery and beauty. At first, he visited a shop where you can have buy all different kind of cutlery. And also you can sharp kitchen knife which you bring in. In Seki city, Japanese sword making has a long history, dating back to about 780 years ago. The technique and skills of sword making have been passed down across the centuries in Seki. The amount of production declined greatly in line with modernization but its mastery skill is still alive in today's modern cutlery industry. He visits a kitchen knife crafts man who has been making kitchen knife in traditional method for more than 60 years. He also went to the knife Museum where 1500 knives from around the world are displayed. This museum also offers hand-on knife making experience where you can put together knife parts and hone blade to complete your own knife. Along with kitchen knives, Seki City is a major production site of scissors. He visited the factory manufactures nine types of scissors. This factory making the special scissors used in fashion industry called "pinking shears". There are only two factories in Japan which can produce this kind of scissors. At the end he visited a master sword smith Kanefusa Fujiwara. Now on their 25th generation, the family's name and sword-making skills have been passed on to generations for almost 600 years. Traveler: John Gathright (University professor)