Sakura's 'Just-Right Knife' Now Available to the General Public Starting Today, July 15 (Wed) — Highly Acclaimed Home Kitchen Knife Following Successful Pre-Sale

SAKURA's Online Store (HITOTEMA Inc.) has started general sales today, July 15, 2026 (Wednesday), of the 'Just-Right Knife' (155mm blade), a home kitchen knife developed by chef and restaurateur Sakura. The limited pre-sale of 600 units in June 2026 received enthusiastic customer feedback, and the knife is now available at the regular price of ¥17,800 (tax included).

General Sales Begin Today

General sales of the 'Just-Right Knife — slightly long, slightly short' begin today, July 15, 2026 (Wednesday). The limited pre-sale of 600 units, launched on June 7, 2026, received overwhelming demand despite the production process involving hand-finishing each unit. Responding to customer requests such as 'We've been waiting for general sales,' the company is now launching regular-priced sales.

Not a Santoku, Not a Chef’s Knife, Not a Petty — A Knife Designed for Home Kitchens

After nearly two years of development, chef and restaurateur Sakura arrived at a 155mm blade length as the ideal size. Standard santoku knives are approximately 180mm, chef’s knives are even longer, and petty knives are around 120–130mm. Sakura believed each of these was either too long or too short for daily home cooking. Chopping vegetables, slicing meat, peeling fruit — the 155mm length is optimized to efficiently handle the majority of kitchen tasks in one versatile knife. The phrase 'slightly long, slightly short' reflects the dimension perfectly tailored for home cooking.

A Unique Wood Grain, Hand-Finished by Artisans in Seki City, Gifu

The blade features a three-layer steel construction with AUS-10 stainless steel core, achieving a hardness of approximately HRC 60, balancing edge retention and ease of re-sharpening. With a total length of approximately 282mm and a weight of about 106g, the knife is lightweight and designed for immediate comfort in hand. Manufactured in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture — renowned for its cutlery — the handle is crafted from natural walnut wood, known for its water resistance and ergonomic fit. Each handle is individually finished, resulting in unique wood grain patterns. Every knife delivered is one-of-a-kind.

Sharpening Service for Long-Term Use

The 'Just-Right Knife' comes with a permanent sharpening service to restore its sharpness over time. Skilled artisans from a Seki-based cutlery manufacturer will re-sharpen the blade for ¥3,000 (tax included), including shipping and packaging materials. This service is also available for purchases made via Rakuten Market and Amazon. The company aims to support customers in building a lifelong relationship with their knife, not just a one-time purchase.

Chef and restaurateur Sakura comments: 'I want daily cooking to become a joy in life. I never want anyone to hesitate again at the very first step — cutting.' (Note: This quote is subject to confirmation and replacement with direct source material.)

Product Overview

・Product Name: Just-Right Knife (155mm)

・Price: ¥17,800 (tax included)

・Blade Material: AUS-10 Stainless Steel Triple-Layer (HRC ~60)

・Dimensions: Total length ~282mm / Blade length 155mm / Weight ~106g

・Bolster: SUS304 (5.0mm thickness) / Handle: Natural Walnut Wood

・Country of Manufacture: Japan (Seki City, Gifu Prefecture) / Distributor: HITOTEMA Inc.

・General Sales Start Date: July 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

・Shipping: Free

・Sales Channel: SAKURA's Online Store

※ The 'pre-sale' mentioned in this release refers to the company’s limited self-run sale of 600 units starting June 7, 2026 (per SAKURA's Online Store data).

※ Due to the use of natural wood, the color and grain pattern of each handle will vary.