New Products from the "Hashimoto Mikizo" Series Co-Developed with Michelin-Starred Japanese Cuisine Chef Mikizo Hashimoto of "Ichirin"!
Kai Corporation, a global cutlery manufacturer, is launching two new products in its "Hashimoto Mikizo" knife series, co-developed with Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine chef Mikizo Hashimoto of "Ichirin." These new knives, designed to enrich home Japanese cooking, will be available sequentially from May 25, 2026, at Kai's official online store and other retailers.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:00
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Kai Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and COO: Hiroaki Endo), a global cutlery manufacturer, will sequentially launch two new products from the "Hashimoto Mikizo" knife series, co-developed with Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine restaurant "Ichirin" (Ichirin). These knives, conceptualized to "enjoy making Japanese food at home," will be available starting May 25, 2026 (Monday), at Kai's official online store, specialty stores nationwide, home centers, and mass retailers *1.
*1 The arrival date may vary by store.
The "Hashimoto Mikizo" series has been highly acclaimed by many customers. This time, we are launching two new products: the "Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Sashimi Knife 8.5 Sun," which is suitable for a wide range of uses including large ingredients, and the "Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Nakiri Knife 5.5 Sun," which is ideal for delicate tasks.
These products, developed in collaboration with Mikizo Hashimoto of the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant "Ichirin," are designed with a focus on ease of use and operability, considering delicate tasks, to enrich the time spent enjoying Japanese cooking at home.
The "Hashimoto Mikizo" series was completed after approximately two years of development, born from Mr. Hashimoto's desire to "let many people know the joy of making Japanese food at home through knives, which are essential tools for cooking, in order to pass on Japanese cuisine to the future," and Kai's commitment to making easy-to-use and sharp knives, cultivated over more than 100 years of cutlery processing.
By placing the knife's center of gravity closer to the blade than the handle, it becomes possible to use the knife by leveraging its own weight, allowing users to enjoy the intricate work and decoration of dishes, which is a highlight of Japanese culinary creation. This position of the center of gravity and weight balance was achieved after Mr. Hashimoto handled dozens of prototypes and repeatedly verified them through actual cooking.
Kai will continue to deliver items that make your cooking scenes enjoyable and enriching, providing a fulfilling kitchen life.
Product Overview
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Sashimi Knife 8.5 Sun Price: 25,300 yen (tax included)
It can cut not only sashimi but also rolled sushi with a single stroke. It can also be used for various ingredients such as roast beef and ham.
With a long blade length of 255mm, it is easy for overseas customers who often handle large ingredients to use.
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Nakiri Knife 5.5 Sun Price: 19,800 yen (tax included)
This knife has a compact sickle shape, making it convenient for finely chopping green onions and dicing carrots.
Its weight allows it to cut hard pumpkins straight.
It is a size that is easy to handle even in small Japanese home kitchens.
Hashimoto Mikizo Existing Product Lineup
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Peeling Knife
Price: 14,300 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Knife 5 Sun
Price: 16,500 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Knife 7 Sun
Price: 22,000 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Deba Knife with Single Bevel
Price: 27,500 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Sashimi Knife
Price: 22,000 yen (tax included)
Profile of Mikizo Hashimoto
Owner of "Japanese Cuisine Ichirin." Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1970.
Entered the culinary world in his hometown at the age of 18, and after moving to Tokyo, served as head chef at a Kyoto cuisine restaurant in Akasaka. Opened his own restaurant in Jingumae in 2007.
Received one Michelin star in 2009 and was promoted to two stars in 2012.
Moved to Kagurazaka in 2022, where he carefully selects ingredients and offers exquisite kaiseki cuisine. While leading a busy life with media appearances, product development, and branding of local ingredients, he continues to travel across Japan to interact with producers and maintain his pride in ingredients, remaining an active chef on the front lines.
Kai Corporation
Founded in 1908 in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, famous as a city of cutlery. The company develops over 10,000 items centered on daily-life cutlery, including grooming tools like razors and nail clippers, beauty tools, cooking utensils like knives and confectionery tools, and medical blades. It is a global cutlery manufacturer that handles everything from product planning and development to production, sales, and logistics.
Headquarters: 3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
President and COO: Hiroaki Endo https://www.kai-group.com
Inquiries from readers regarding this matter
Kai Corporation Customer Service Center
3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8586
TEL: 0120-016-410 (Toll-free / Hikari Wide)
https://www.kai-group.com
*1 The arrival date may vary by store.
The "Hashimoto Mikizo" series has been highly acclaimed by many customers. This time, we are launching two new products: the "Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Sashimi Knife 8.5 Sun," which is suitable for a wide range of uses including large ingredients, and the "Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Nakiri Knife 5.5 Sun," which is ideal for delicate tasks.
These products, developed in collaboration with Mikizo Hashimoto of the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant "Ichirin," are designed with a focus on ease of use and operability, considering delicate tasks, to enrich the time spent enjoying Japanese cooking at home.
The "Hashimoto Mikizo" series was completed after approximately two years of development, born from Mr. Hashimoto's desire to "let many people know the joy of making Japanese food at home through knives, which are essential tools for cooking, in order to pass on Japanese cuisine to the future," and Kai's commitment to making easy-to-use and sharp knives, cultivated over more than 100 years of cutlery processing.
By placing the knife's center of gravity closer to the blade than the handle, it becomes possible to use the knife by leveraging its own weight, allowing users to enjoy the intricate work and decoration of dishes, which is a highlight of Japanese culinary creation. This position of the center of gravity and weight balance was achieved after Mr. Hashimoto handled dozens of prototypes and repeatedly verified them through actual cooking.
Kai will continue to deliver items that make your cooking scenes enjoyable and enriching, providing a fulfilling kitchen life.
Product Overview
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Sashimi Knife 8.5 Sun Price: 25,300 yen (tax included)
It can cut not only sashimi but also rolled sushi with a single stroke. It can also be used for various ingredients such as roast beef and ham.
With a long blade length of 255mm, it is easy for overseas customers who often handle large ingredients to use.
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Nakiri Knife 5.5 Sun Price: 19,800 yen (tax included)
This knife has a compact sickle shape, making it convenient for finely chopping green onions and dicing carrots.
Its weight allows it to cut hard pumpkins straight.
It is a size that is easy to handle even in small Japanese home kitchens.
Hashimoto Mikizo Existing Product Lineup
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Peeling Knife
Price: 14,300 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Knife 5 Sun
Price: 16,500 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Knife 7 Sun
Price: 22,000 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Deba Knife with Single Bevel
Price: 27,500 yen (tax included)
■ Hashimoto Mikizo Double-Edged Sashimi Knife
Price: 22,000 yen (tax included)
Profile of Mikizo Hashimoto
Owner of "Japanese Cuisine Ichirin." Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1970.
Entered the culinary world in his hometown at the age of 18, and after moving to Tokyo, served as head chef at a Kyoto cuisine restaurant in Akasaka. Opened his own restaurant in Jingumae in 2007.
Received one Michelin star in 2009 and was promoted to two stars in 2012.
Moved to Kagurazaka in 2022, where he carefully selects ingredients and offers exquisite kaiseki cuisine. While leading a busy life with media appearances, product development, and branding of local ingredients, he continues to travel across Japan to interact with producers and maintain his pride in ingredients, remaining an active chef on the front lines.
Kai Corporation
Founded in 1908 in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, famous as a city of cutlery. The company develops over 10,000 items centered on daily-life cutlery, including grooming tools like razors and nail clippers, beauty tools, cooking utensils like knives and confectionery tools, and medical blades. It is a global cutlery manufacturer that handles everything from product planning and development to production, sales, and logistics.
Headquarters: 3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
President and COO: Hiroaki Endo https://www.kai-group.com
Inquiries from readers regarding this matter
Kai Corporation Customer Service Center
3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8586
TEL: 0120-016-410 (Toll-free / Hikari Wide)
https://www.kai-group.com