Just as wood has grain that defines its strength and direction,
steel too possesses a hidden structure — the fiber flow, or “tanryū-sen”.
In forging, steel is heated and shaped through force.
This process aligns the fiber flow with the shape of the product,
resulting in a material that is both resilient and flexible.
By shaping the material close to its final form,
forging also reduces the need for cutting and machining,
achieving both material efficiency and shorter processing time.
For centuries, this technique — known as hi-zukuri or “fire crafting” —
has given rise to tools and weapons alike,
from kitchen knives and hatchets to the revered Japanese sword.
It is a method where strength is born not from force alone,
but from the flow embedded within the metal.
