Japan is recognized as the country of craftsmanship in the U.S.A. and European countries.

“SHOKUNINWAZA” is the term for the craftsmanship in Japanese. It leads to handing down techniques to the next generation, retaining the family run business and accomplishing its mission.

“SHOKUNINWAZA” in Tsubame, in the mind of “Japan Metal Flatware Industry Association” is producing, through trial and error, new values by combining creativity and originality, and striving to advance our technical skills. Notwithstanding the automation trend in the cutlery industries, we make it a rule to distribute to the marketplace only products whose production process is examined in each step with human eyes.

Cutlery produced at the automated factories cannot match the quality of those pressed manually piece by piece. When more precision is required, production steps are added to improve product quality.

Cutlery polishing has become progressively automated and semi-automatic polishers are used to complement the skills of hand polishing. However, in order to produce a finely polished product, human hands with a skilled touch are still needed. 

The photograph exhibits the inside of a factory in Tsubame around 1921. It was the place that knocked on the door of the world market.

In 1911 through the westernization of Japan, our forefathers founded the metal cutlery industry in Tsubame and distributed its products widely both in the domestic and global markets.

Particularly after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, the westernization of the major cities of Japan was accelerated and domestic demand of cutlery increased rapidly. Around 1930, Tsubame supplied metal cutlery to South East Asia, Europe, the U.S.A. , Central and South America, and Africa. 

Around 1950, Tsubame pioneered and became the world leader in the mass production of stainless steel cutlery. The growing exports quickly established Tsubame as the world’s supplier for the products. Starting around 1955, Tsubame has made efforts in distinguishing itself in the global market through its high quality and unique designs.

In the 1970s, the emergence of the food service industries required cutlery to meet increased durability, functionality, cleanliness, and aesthetic standards. Tsubame products already met those standards.

ALBI

●18-8 Stainless Steel

TODAI CO.,LTD.

1-12 Butsuryu-Center  Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1277 Japan　

http://www.todai-tsubame.co.jp

ICHI

●18-10 Stainless Steel Coated with Black Titanium

OHIZUMI BUSSAN CO.,LTD.

151 Koseki Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1286 Japan

https://www.ohizumibussan.jp

EDA

●18-8 Stainless Steel Urethane Coated

YAMAZAKI KINZOKU KOGYO CO.,LTD.

2570 Ohmagari Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1263 Japan

http://www.yamazakitableware.co.jp

ARTISAN

●Stainless Steel（Handle：Brass）

ARTISAN.LLC

417-5 Haigata Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref,959-1201 Japan

https://artisan-web.jp

PIERCE

●Spoons, Forks and Knife Handles: 18-8 Stainless Steel

●Knife Blade:13% Chromium and High Carbon Stainless Steel

KATARIKI SHOJI CO.,LTD.

1456 Kodaka Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1241 Japan　

http://www.katariki.co.jp

Bamboo

●Spoons and Forks : 18-8 Stainless Steel

●Knife : 13% Chromium Stainless Steel

ASAHI CO.,LTD.

610 Tsubame Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1288 Japan　

http://www.asahi-spoon.jp

RYUJIN

●Blade: Specialty Steel Containing Molybdenum and Vanadium 　

●Handle: 18-8 Stainless Steel

DAISHIN INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

3283-1 Yoshida Nishiohta Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-0221 Japan　

http://daishinsg.com

PEARLLINE

●Spoons and Forks: 18-8 Stainless Steel 

●Knives: 13% Chromium Stainless Steel 

OKABE YOSHOKKI CO.,LTD.

3633-2 Koike Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1276 Japan　

http://www.okabeyoshokki.co.jp

MIRTOON

●Spoons and Forks: 18-10 Stainless Steel with Handle Blasted 

●Knife: 13% Chromium with High Carbon Stainless Steel with Blasted Handle

KOBAYASHI INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD.

5-11-35 Minami Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref, 959-1234 Japan

https://www.luckywood.jp

AOKIRIKENKOUGYOUSYO CO.,LTD.

13-26 Suidoutyou3 Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref,959-1262 Japan

ARASAWA SAISAKUSYO CO.,LTD.

2-5 Suidoutyou1 Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref,959-1262 Japan

http://www.alfact.co.jp

KATO KINZOKU COMPANY

7-23 Minami-7 Tsubame-City,Niigata-Pref,959-1234 Japan

SAITOW INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD.

1156-1 Nonaka Koseki Tsubame-city, Niigata-Pref, 959-1286 Japan

http://www.saitow.co.jp