Kisuke Manaka — Fifth-generation master blacksmith

Kisuke Manaka, the fifth-generation head of the Manaka Cutlery Forge — a long-established blacksmith shop founded in 1872 (Meiji 5) — is the current master of the house.

He began his apprenticeship under the fourth-generation head, Yasuo Manaka, in 2005, and after nine years of training, he succeeded to the title of fifth-generation head in 2014.

Today, as a “one-man blacksmith” who completes every step of the process — from forge welding to hardening, sharpening, and handle fitting — entirely by hand, he has garnered enthusiastic support from knife enthusiasts both in Japan and abroad.

In 2025, seeking to further refine his skills, he relocated his workshop to Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture, the mecca of blacksmithing. Surrounded by master craftsmen, he is now taking his craft to the next level.

Three Reasons Why Knife Enthusiasts Worldwide Seek Out Kisuke Manaka’s Knives

① Three-layer construction hand-forged by a single blacksmith

Mr. Manaka crafts knives using a technique that is extremely rare in modern Japan. There are only a handful of craftsmen in Japan today who handle every step of the process — from the forge welding of the core and side materials to the completion of a single knife — entirely by hand.

② “ENN” and “KOKUENN” — The World of Homemade Damascus Steel

The two major series that symbolize Mr. Manaka are “ENN” and “KOKUENN.” ENN features a core of Aogami #1, sandwiched between Aogami #2 and soft iron in a multi-layered Damascus steel he crafts himself — a composition that represents the pinnacle of his technical expertise.

KOKUENN is an evolution of this, featuring a carbon steel sumi-nagashi Damascus steel finished with a jet-black blackening process. It is positioned as a “knife that matures with use,” allowing users to enjoy its reactive patina that develops over time.

Both are rare items produced only in limited quantities annually, and are already difficult to obtain among overseas collectors.

③ A Free-Flowing Selection of Materials, from Traditional to Modern Steels

In addition to traditional Yasugi carbon steels such as Shirogami and Aogami, Mr. Manaka forges with a wide range of materials — including powdered high-speed steel (HSS), as well as high-speed tool steel — without limiting his choices, bringing out the unique character of each.

His approach — making the optimal choice purely for the sake of creating a “good knife,” without distinguishing between “tradition” and “modernity” — is one of the reasons he is supported by younger collectors.