Motokyuuichi knives are forged in Shimabara City by 4th and 5th generation smiths from the Maeda Family who took over the shop from the Kyuuichi family around 1895. Shoujirou Maeda focused on forging swords at this time but the business gradually transitioned to agricultural tools, hunting tools and craft knives as was typical at the time. They now focus much of their attention on Kitchen knives and offer affordable knives with great performance.