Craftsman
田中誠貴
Shigeki Tanaka
The story
The workshop began with sickles: Miki Japan's profile names its founder as 田中源太郎, who started making them under the house name 源. The business took the company name 田中勉鎌製作所 in 1946 and, in 2000, the one it carries now, 田中一之刃物製作所; its company page brands the workshop KANEGEN.
The company page names Shigeki Tanaka (田中誠貴) as its representative, at 875 Bessho-cho Ishino, Miki, Hyogo. Miki Japan's profile records that he joined Shimizu Hamono in Takefu, Fukui, in 1996.
His maker brand is 誠貴作 (Shigeki-saku). Miki Japan's product list records the steels he works: Blue #2, including an eight-layer-per-side clad version, powdered stainless, Ginsan #3, VG10, VG10 laminate and a sixteen-layer stainless laminate. The company page says everything it makes is fully forged and hand-hammered (本鍛造・手打ち), so each knife differs from the next.
Sharpening and finishing are done by several craftspeople. The handles come from Sadao Nishihara.
His life motto, on Miki Japan's profile, is 質実剛健: plain substance, sturdy build. Away from the anvil he is a keen anime fan with many anime-themed collaborations behind him, and he loves cars: his daily driver is a small racing car with the wheels cambered off-axis in the Japanese street style.
We visited his workshop in 2015, 2016 and 2019, and met him again in June 2026 at the Kezurokai event, where he had a number of his works on display.
In photographs
The relationship map 職人系譜
Masters, family, and the brands between them. Every line is a verified fact from our research. Tap a node to light up its connections and read its story.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Shigeki Tanaka?
Reviewed by James Zhang
What is the history of Shigeki Tanaka's family workshop, KANEGEN?
Reviewed by James Zhang
What steels does Shigeki Tanaka use?
Reviewed by James Zhang
What are Shigeki Tanaka's interests outside knifemaking?
Reviewed by James Zhang
Has Knives and Stones met Shigeki Tanaka?
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From the forge, in stock
Sale
Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus
Tanaka SG2 Damascus Kurozome Gyuto 180mm Ebony Handle with Mosaic Pin
$492.98$578.95
Sale
Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus
Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Gyuto 180mm Ironwood Handle
$909.98$1,069.95
Sale
Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus
Tanaka R2 Black Damascus Ironwood Petty 150mm
$841.98$989.95
Sale
Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus
Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Santoku 165mm Ironwood Handle
$1,019.98$1,199.95
Sale
Shigeki Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Damascus
Tanaka Blue 2 Damascus Santoku 170mm Kurouchi
$195.98$229.95
Stories
Japan trip 2014, Miki City, Tanaka / Nishihara workshop2014 Miki City trip: Nishihara's workshop (mentor of the region) and the Shigeki Tanaka workshop.Read the story
Ergonomics and Knife BalanceGuest explainer by engineering intern John on how balance axis + grip pivot point drive blade feel, comparing his own Kurosaki against a K&S Tanaka Ginsan…Read the story
Shinko - Tanaka Blue 2 Stainless Clad now availableProduct announcement for the K&S Tanaka Blue 2 with stainless cladding, thin Nashiji grind, and upgraded spine/choil fit & finish.Read the story
A Specialty Hardware Store in Miki and Tanaka WorkshopFrom James's October 2019 trip to Miki: a specialty hardware store full of local tools, and Shigeki Tanaka's workshop, where he showed us his wrought iron...Read the story