About Seki
Tucked away in the rolling hills of central of Japan, along the banks of the Tsubo and Kawa-ura rivers, the town of Seki has been the hub of Japanese cutlery production since the mid-13th century.
Blessed with mountain-fed waterways, timber for charcoal, and rich deposits of iron sand, Seki had all the essential elements for the crafting of fine swords. It was this ideal setting that attracted master sword smith Motoshige to Seki nearly 800 years ago, and gave rise to a new industry.
During the Muromachi Era (1338-1573), just a century later, there were over 300 swordsmiths working in Seki, including Kanemoto Magoroku and Saburo Shizu - two of the most famous. The superior quality of Seki swords was quickly recognized throughout Japan and its solid reputation as a sword making center was established.
Over the centuries, the techniques and skills of the ancient swords smiths were passed down through generations of master craftsmen, who continued to innovate and hone their knowledge. Today, Seki City remains the vibrant hub of Japanese cutlery manufacturing, and MCUSTA is proud to follow in this long successful history of tradition through innovation.
