Another element of crafting tools and equipment, that can sometimes be overlooked, is the polishing process. Tsubame Sanjo is also the premier city for polishing finished goods to give them a beautiful sheen as well as increased durability. At ” Migakiya-Ichibankan ” we got to learn about the process, and try it out for ourselves. They use large wheels made of fabrics like hemp and cotton, with varying stiffness. A mineral coating (we used soft limestone) is layered onto the wheels as they reach speeds of about 4,000 revolutions per minute. Now, firmly in a chair, you’re ready to grind the item against the moving wheel, removing microscopic layers from the item, much like sandpaper does to wood.

We worked with a stainless steel cup for our experience course, which was fresh from a factory, and unpolished. Even after just a few moments of grinding, the difference in luster and sheen was like night and day. It was quite easy and fun polishing the outside of the cup, although our instructor said that polishing more complex items can require precision, skill, and most of all endurance! Just polishing one cup I could feel my forearms and fingers getting quite exhausted.

It’s surprising how sophisticated the process to make something as simple as a knife can be, or how much effort goes into making kitchenware look nice. Taking a trip to “craft” cities like Tsubame Sanjo to see exactly how our everyday tools are made is something we should all do from time to time. The appreciation of the sharpness of Japanese blades is sure to make your next sushi that much tastier! Each sip from my new cup is certainly more delicious, and rewarding having had a hand in the finishing process.