Sakai City in Osaka has been renowned for its blade-making culture, crafting everything from knives to scissors, for centuries. One person central to this tradition is Eric Chevallier, a French artisan who’s become indispensable to the Sakai knife-making world. After moving to Japan, Eric trained as a blacksmith, mastering his craft and working as an artisan himself. Beyond his own work, he also serves as the the Foreign Market Development Coordinator at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center, bridging Sakai’s blade culture with the world. We had the pleasure of speaking with him to learn more about his journey and insights.
– A Friend’s Love for J-Pop Sparked My Interest in Japan
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. To start, what first got you interested in Japan?
Back in high school, I was really interested in learning different languages, so I started studying some Korean and Chinese. Then one day, a friend who was into J-POP played some Japanese music, and the soft, unique sound of the language really caught my attention. That’s where it all started—my curiosity kept growing, and soon I was fascinated by Japanese culture and history too.
After that, I majored in Japanese literature at university, where I studied Japan from various perspectives, including ancient history, archaeology, culture, and art.
– From Curiosity to Connection: A Journey That Led to Sakai
As you learned about Japan, what prompted you to move here instead of just visiting as a tourist?
In 2011, I planned to visit Japan for about a month with friends while I was in university, but then the earthquake happened. Even though I still wanted to go, my friends were worried. So, I decided to wait and save up more money for a longer stay. In 2012, I used a service that allowed me to live and work on places like farms and inns. I chose a quiet area in Aichi Prefecture, where there weren’t many foreigners, so I could practice speaking with Japanese people. Later, I heard that a blacksmith was looking for a French apprentice, which led me to a new opportunity that would change my life.
Wasn’t it a big step to move from Aichi to a new place like Sakai in Osaka?
At university, I learned that Sakai is home to one of the world’s three largest ancient burial mounds, which sparked my fascination with its rich history and culture. Coincidentally, my ancestors lived in Brittany, France, where burial mounds can also be found. This connection made me even more eager to experience Sakai firsthand.
– Adapting to the Ways of Tradition
Coming from overseas to live in Japan must be challenging in itself, but wasn’t it even harder to become an apprentice in a long-standing blacksmithing tradition?
The blacksmith I joined, Sasuke, was established in 1867, at the end of the Edo period. Working with a master in such a historic Japanese craft was definitely tough. I wasn’t given step-by-step instructions but had to learn by observing and absorbing the techniques myself. In my first year, I didn’t really understand the approach to training. My days were mostly filled with cleaning, tending the garden, and going home in the evening. I realized that if I continued like this, I wouldn’t improve my skills as an artisan.
Around that time, I received some valuable advice from my Japanese wife, who is a kimono maker and deeply familiar with traditional culture. She said, “Training starts at night. You need to observe and learn from the master’s techniques by watching.” That changed everything for me. I started spending my mornings cleaning, helping with prep work during the day, and then observing my master’s work closely in the evenings. Slowly, he began letting me handle some of the tasks myself. It was hard, but I’m glad I pushed myself to adapt to this strict environment from the start.
In today’s social media era, Japan is often portrayed as a paradise. But, like any country, it has its challenges and cultural differences. Japan sets a high standard, and I knew I would have to put in extra effort to meet it. So, while it was challenging, I never felt overwhelmed by it.
– Artisan and Ambassador: Sharing Sakai’s Legacy
From the time you were training, you made an effort to promote the traditions of Sakai knives, right?
Yes, having studied marketing before, I wanted to deliver the Sakai’s traditional craftsmanship with international audiences. Gradually my work caught the attention, even the mayor of Sakai, who offered me a new position as the foreign market development coordinator, after I became independent. Now, I am an artisan with my forge and brand, called “DE SAKAI”, while also working to connect Sakai knives with international markets. I do work at Sakai Denshokan as well, a traditional crafts museum where visitors can learn about and purchase Sakai knives. Here, I guide foreign customers, sharing Sakai’s history and helping them choose the knife that best suits their needs.
I’m surprised to see so many foreign customers at Sakai Denshokan in this small city. Everyone seems eager to get advice from you. It must be reassuring for them to choose while talking with you. Having lived here for a long time, what do you love most about Sakai?
It is said that all origins of craftsmanship can be traced back to Sakai. From tea ceremony to incense, as well as knives and swords—everything has deep historical roots here. The location itself is also remarkable; the roads are very wide (It has been organized and developed during the Edo period under the shogunate’s orders), the winters are not too cold, and in the summer, the sea breeze is refreshing. It’s a calm place, yet still close to the city of Osaka. I believe Sakai is a precious area that combines rich history with an excellent location.
Eric, who takes great joy in sharing what he truly believes to be exceptional with the world, embodies the spirit of an artisan. He not only crafts his own knives but also carries forth the rich history of Sakai City to a global audience. As a vital part of the 600-year legacy of Sakai’s knife-making tradition, he remains dedicated to preserving and promoting this invaluable heritage for generations to come.
Eric Chevallier:
Born in 1989 in Chaumontel, a village on the outskirts of Paris, France, he developed an early interest in Japanese culture and later studied Japanese literature at the Sorbonne University. In February 2012, he arrived in Japan and began an intensive apprenticeship under a master of traditional Sakai bladesmithing. His dedication to the craft and passion for sharing it with others led to significant recognition; in 2015, he received the “Star of Hope” award from the French government, honoring his efforts as a cultural bridge for Japanese bladesmithing in France. Currently, he holds the role of “Foreign Market Development Coordinator” at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center. At the Sakai Denshokan (Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum), he engages both domestic and international visitors, offering advice on knife selection and sharing the history of Japanese blades.
Details:
DE SAKAI: View Website
- SAKAI DENSHOKAN: View Website
