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November 8th is "knives' day." It is a day to reevaluate the importance of knives that are essential to our livelihood and culture, and to cherish and thank them from the standpoint of both users and manufacturers. The Hamono Kuyo-sai is a memorial service held to commemorate the approximately 40,000 worn-out knives collected from across the country.
The Japanese people believe that "spirits reside in all things," and take especially good care of utensils that are inseparable from our daily living. Therefore, this curiously unique event is held in order to commemorate and pray for worn-out knives that may have simply been thrown away. Commemorated knives are then reborn as new knives or other metal goods through recycling, or reused for disaster relief efforts after resharpening.
After the Hamono Kuyo-sai, Mochi (rice cake) and oranges are handed out, based on the custom of the "Fuigo Matsuri" (bellows festival: craftsmen such as blacksmiths who use bellows make offerings and pray to the bellows, and then have a meal together).
A rare and unique festival of commemorating knives. View the sacred ritual ceremoniously handled by a Shinto priest!
Knives end up as "trash" once they are thrown out. The Hamono Kuyo-sai collects approximately 40,000 knives annually in order to revive them as a resource through reuse and recycling. Bring your own worn-out knives to the Kuyo-sai for them to gain another life!
Sharp knives, scissors and nail clippers are sold at the Gifu Cutlery Hall—Seki City's direct sales store for cutlery items—located near the festival's venue Seki Sword Tradition Museum.
The Japanese Katana sword scissors, especially, is a very popular item. Find your very own favorite pair!
Please prohibit from talking loudly during the commemoration service.
Access to Seki City
[nearest station]
Hamonokaikan-mae Station on the Nagaragawa Railway
Festival location
Seki Sword Tradition Museum
Address: 9-1 Minamikasuga-cho, Seki City, Gifu Pref.
[by train] 3 min walk from Hamonokaikan-mae Station on the Nagaragawa Railway
[by bus] 10 min walk from Sakaemachi Icchome bus stop on the Nagoya-Seki highway bus line
