Pandemic cooking boom sharpens Japan knife sales - in pictures

Knives displayed at a Sumikama Cutlery factory in Seki, Japan. All photos: AFP
Knives displayed at a Sumikama Cutlery factory in Seki, Japan. All photos: AFP
French chef Olivier Oddos cleaning a knife with whetstone at his restaurant in Tokyo
French chef Olivier Oddos cleaning a knife with whetstone at his restaurant in Tokyo
In a Japanese city once famous for forging samurai swords, craftsmen sharpen and polish kitchen knives
In a Japanese city once famous for forging samurai swords, craftsmen sharpen and polish kitchen knives
The export value of knives and other bladed tools such as scissors hit a record high in Japan last year
The export value of knives and other bladed tools such as scissors hit a record high in Japan last year
A worker begins the knife sharpening process at Sumikama Cutlery in Seki
A worker begins the knife sharpening process at Sumikama Cutlery in Seki
The demand for Japanese knives is partly because of a home-cooking boom sparked by the pandemic
The demand for Japanese knives is partly because of a home-cooking boom sparked by the pandemic
A worker checks the quality of a knife being polished
A worker checks the quality of a knife being polished
The factory is at full capacity to meet global demand
The factory is at full capacity to meet global demand
Aspiring and professional chefs prize Japanese knives' delicate precision, sleek finish and long lifespan
Aspiring and professional chefs prize Japanese knives' delicate precision, sleek finish and long lifespan
Katsumi Sumikama of Sumikama Cutlery puts the popularity down to a 'combination of technology and traditional craftsmanship'
Katsumi Sumikama of Sumikama Cutlery puts the popularity down to a 'combination of technology and traditional craftsmanship'
A worker testing the sharpness of a knife
A worker testing the sharpness of a knife
To achieve the formidably sharp knife edge, the company uses machines that guarantee accuracy to one-thousandth of a millimetre
To achieve the formidably sharp knife edge, the company uses machines that guarantee accuracy to one-thousandth of a millimetre
Seki's renowned blade expertise dates from the 14th century
Seki's renowned blade expertise dates from the 14th century
Seki became a major producer of swords thanks to its rich natural environment
Seki became a major producer of swords thanks to its rich natural environment
The Kama-Asa cutlery shop on Tokyo's famous Kappabashi kitchenware street
The Kama-Asa cutlery shop on Tokyo's famous Kappabashi kitchenware street
The export value of kitchen bladed tools hit a record $90 million in 2021
The export value of kitchen bladed tools hit a record $90 million in 2021
Katsumi Sumikama, right, head of Sumikama Cutlery, checking the quality of a knife at his factory in Seki
Katsumi Sumikama, right, head of Sumikama Cutlery, checking the quality of a knife at his factory in Seki
Japanese kitchen knives have a worldwide reputation
Japanese kitchen knives have a worldwide reputation
Japanese knives have to be maintained regularly with sharpening stones
Japanese knives have to be maintained regularly with sharpening stones