Our Story

Founded in 1933, Hasegawa Cutlery has been perfecting the art of manufacturing cutters and scissors for over 90 years.

The story begins with Master Swordsmith Motoshige, the founder of Seki’s sword-making tradition. When he discovered clay ideal for tempering blades, he settled in Seki to begin forging. His swords soon became prized among samurai for their practicality and artistry – celebrated as “unbreakable, unbendable, and exceptionally sharp.”

Nestled among lush mountains and clear rivers, Seki City in Gifu Prefecture has since become known as Japan’s “City of Cutlery.” The region’s blade-making heritage dates back over 800 years to the Kamakura period. As times changed, swordsmiths adapted their craft – shifting from swords to essential everyday blades such as kitchen knives and sickles, and later trading with merchants. Following the Sword Abolishment Edict of 1786, many artisans turned fully to household cutlery, and by the late 19th century, Seki craftsmen were producing pocket knives inspired by Western designs.

With this deep heritage of craftsmanship and innovation, Seki rose to global prominence, earning its place beside Sheffield in England and Solingen in Germany as one of the world’s three great cutlery centers — the big “Three S’s.” Today, nearly 40% of Seki’s cutlery is exported, and the name “Seki” is recognized worldwide as a mark of exceptional quality.

Today, Hasegawa continues to craft precision tools proudly made in Japan. Each product undergoes rigorous inspection by skilled craftsmen, preserving Seki’s legacy of craftsmanship while delivering the precision and reliability trusted by professionals around the world.