TAIMATSU Strengthens Manufacturing with Master Artisans from Sakai – Building a Foundation for Craftsmanship Succession and Training

TAIMATSU Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Wang Weihan; hereinafter "TAIMATSU"), a company promoting the charm of traditional Japanese craftsmanship globally through its Japanese knife brand "MUSASHI JAPAN," is pleased to announce the addition of four master artisans specializing in blade sharpening from Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture.

Sakai is one of Japan's most renowned production areas, having cultivated a blade-making culture for hundreds of years. The participation of artisans who have honed their skills in this historic city marks not merely an increase in workforce, but a pivotal moment in which traditional craftsmanship itself is being transferred into a new environment. With this integration, TAIMATSU will strengthen its foundation in technical succession, artisan development, and quality consistency, further advancing its sustainable manufacturing system.

- Bringing Sakai's Craftsmanship to TAIMATSU: Four Master Artisans Join

The addition of four artisans trained in Sakai's sharpening techniques elevates TAIMATSU's manufacturing to a new level. Their expertise is not merely a set of procedures, but embodies "the culture of Sakai" itself—reading the character of materials, discerning the personality of blades, and determining the beauty of the final finish.

By incorporating the refined skills and sensibilities developed over decades, TAIMATSU will solidify core aspects of craftsmanship, including "technical succession," "quality stabilization," "enhanced junior artisan training," and "new product development potential."

TAIMATSU is creating a supportive environment and equipping facilities where artisans can thrive, building a system for sustainable knowledge transfer. By respecting traditional techniques while adapting to modern production needs, TAIMATSU provides a space where artisans can fully express their abilities.

Morimoto Mamoru (29 years as an artisan) Morimoto Masako (29 years as an artisan) Morimoto Yoshiaki (19 years as an artisan) Morimoto Gensei (5 years as an artisan)

- TAIMATSU LABO: A Research Hub Connecting Tradition and the Future

Coinciding with the artisans' integration, TAIMATSU has established "TAIMATSU LABO" in Tokyo. Positioned as a research hub to carry traditional techniques into the future, LABO is designed not as a factory, but as a "knowledge nexus" that systematizes the skills and sensibilities artisans have cultivated over years and bridges them to modern demands.

At LABO, efforts are underway to carefully verbalize artisans' daily insights and experiences and feed them back into product development. Additionally, customer feedback from Japan and abroad is analyzed to research how traditional techniques can be elevated into new values. Through these activities, LABO creates an environment where craftsmanship is reliably passed to the next generation and serves as a foundational pillar supporting TAIMATSU's entire manufacturing philosophy.

Furthermore, the establishment of LABO enables flexible responses to product maintenance and restoration, enhancing brand quality by staying close to customers. TAIMATSU LABO is beginning to play a crucial role as a "quiet engine" connecting tradition and modernity.

- TAIMATSU's Mission: Bridging Traditional Techniques to the Future

TAIMATSU's mission is to carry forward the exceptional techniques and cultures inherited across Japan and deliver their value to customers worldwide. The integration of these artisans is a concrete step toward fulfilling this mission and an essential milestone in ensuring long-cultivated skills are reliably passed to future generations.

True progress in craftsmanship comes not from merely preserving tradition, but from evolving techniques to meet modern needs. By connecting artisans' skills with contemporary manufacturing and global customer voices, TAIMATSU will continue striving to be a force that develops both technology and culture for the future.

Company Overview: TAIMATSU Co., Ltd.

Established: November 2023

Representative Director: Wang Weihan

Headquarters: 22F, Tower X, Harumi Island Triton Square, 1-8-10 Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

URL: https://www.tai-matsu.jp/

Email: [email protected]

TAIMATSU Co., Ltd. is a company redefining Japanese traditional craftsmanship. With a diverse team from around the world, we pursue the possibilities of traditional crafts through innovative perspectives. From Japanese knives to sake, perfume, and experiential spaces embodying the spirit of the samurai, our services and products maximize the appeal of tradition and deliver it globally.

Brands Operated:

MUSASHI JAPAN (Japanese Knives)

https://www.musashihamono.com/

YOKAI JAPAN (Sake & Perfume)

https://yokaijapan.jp/

FUJI JAPAN (Traditional Cultural Experiences)

https://fujijapan.jp/

ITTO (Dining)

https://ittojapan.com/