My name is Akihito Fujiwara. I was born in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from high school, I worked at a local ironwork. And when I was 22 or 23, I decided to take over the family business upon marriage.

I have been in this business for 9 or 10 years. When we married, my wife asked me, "Don't you want to take over the family business?" I didn't really like the family business, so I was wondering what I should do. Then, when I entered the factory, I saw my father working there, and he looked so cool. And it looked fun and exciting. So I quit the company and started working at home.

Work is not like school, so there was no teacher to teach me everything. Of course, my father didn't teach me. I had to watch my father work and steal from him. At first, I couldn’t do it, and the products weren't usable. I was working under much pressure, being got mad by him. So, I was mentally depressed at first. Still, I thought that I had just joined the company. Thus it was no big deal if I was not good at my job. So, I didn't experience any particular hardships. I thought, "Let's have fun,” "That's just the way it is," "My career is still young," and so on. I didn't worry about it. I just tried many times, learned, and improved my skills.

When I started making knives, I had no idea what I was doing, so although the shape was a kitchen knife, I ignored the ease of use for the customer. But after I started making knives and using them myself, I began to think that it would be better to grind them a little more like this or that these parts hit the hands so they would feel better if they were a little more rounded, etc. So, I'm constantly making improvements.

When making a product, you can't get a 100% product. Even if you think a product is perfect, you still think you could've done better or better. However, the manufacturing industry has a passing grade, and only products above it are released. My products are above the passing grade, but I've not got a perfect product yet.

The blade is quite long, so it is essential to make sure that the thickness of the blade is uniform throughout, that the blade is sharp, and that the fine grinding is clean. After all, it is something you touch with your hands.

There is a saying, "Always sincerity and consistency." It means that if you are sincere, everything will go well. I take my work very seriously. For example, if the passing grade is 90 points, and my work is 89 points, I try not to compromise on even one point and throw that work away. If I compromise once, the score will go down and down, like, "Last time, I gave 89 points, and it was OK. This time I give 88 points, but that's OK." I try not to do that.

When I make knives, I get e-mails from people who bought my knives saying they were pleased with them, as we are now connected over the world through SNS. When I hear that kind of feedback, it makes me want to keep doing this job.

We are very grateful that people worldwide promote our products by adding value to them. Japanese people cannot say that their products are good, no matter how good they are. Musashi Hamono does this for us, and we are grateful to them for spreading the word about our products on our behalf.