Master bladesmith Satoshi Nakagawa, was the apprentice and sole successor of legendary Sakai blacksmith Kenichi Shiraki. Nakagawa started bladesmithing at the age of 17 and later went independent with Nakagawa Knives, carrying forward Sakai’s 600 centuries-old knife-making tradition.

He is also known as the youngest National Traditional Craftsman in Japan, a prestigious designation for those continuing the legacy of traditional craftsmanship in the country.

By blending the precision of Japanese swordsmithing with modern innovation and materials, Nakagawa Knives creates handcrafted kitchen knives celebrated worldwide for their exceptional sharpness, artistry, and performance.

Satoshi Kanagawa is recognized for the following distinctive forging features:

Traditional Tanzo Forging: Each blade is forged by heating soft iron and steel until it is glowing red, then hammering it to refine the internal structure. This process densifies the metal, increasing strength, toughness, and edge durability.

Belt Hammer Forging: Unlike most blacksmiths, Nakagawa Knives forges heated steel directly using a belt hammer, producing a cleaner, more consistent grain and superior finish.

Enmon Flaming Pattern: A signature visual hallmark created through Nakagawa’s own forging method, producing a subtle, flowing pattern reminiscent of dancing flames straight from the forge.

These unique techniques and design choices, combined with the outstanding performance, have made Nakagawa Knives' blades highly sought after by professional chefs and collectors alike.