Craftsperson · Nara, Japan

Enjiki

Enjiki is the workshop of Tadataka Maruyama in Nara, formerly head sharpener at HADO. After an apprenticeship in Sakai and twelve years at Fukui Co. he set up on his own in 2025. The blades are forged by selected smiths, among them Yamatsuka Hamono, before Maruyama sets the edge himself.

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The story

Enjiki was set up by Tadataka Maruyama, a knife sharpener with a growing name in Japanese knife making. He started in 2013 at HADO, Fukui Co. Ltd, where he worked in sales and learned what separates good knives from very good ones.

After three years Maruyama chose to go deeper into the craft and concentrate on sharpening, the discipline that largely decides how a knife actually performs. Through intensive learning and practice he developed his own style, with precise work, good geometry and a feel for getting the most out of the steel.

In 2025 he set up his own workshop, Enjiki Knives, in Nara. There he works closely with well-known Japanese smiths such as Yoshikazu Tanaka for White steel and Shogo Yamatsuka for Ginsan steel.

Enjiki is a young brand but has quickly gained a dedicated international following. For enthusiasts, Enjiki is a more artistic continuation of the work he did as head sharpener at HADO.

The region

Nara, Japan

Nara is one of Japan's oldest cities and the country's first permanent capital, known for its long history, calm atmosphere and strong craft traditions. The city is surrounded by nature and is known for its free-roaming deer and temples such as Tōdai-ji.

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