Thanks to our customers, 100 years have passed since Kosuke Kamata established his knife sharpening business in Asakusa
after the Great Kanto Earthquake devastated the area.

Over the years, four generations of the Kamata family have continued to hone their skills.

  • 1923: Great Kanto Earthquake
  • 1925: The Yamanote Line began service as a full circular loop
  • 1935: Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market was opened
  • 1960: Toei Subway was opened
  • 1972: Ueno Zoo welcomed its first pandas
  • 1995: Sarin gas attack on Tokyo Metro
  • 2007: Tokyo Marathon was held
  • 2011: Great East Japan Earthquake
  • 2018: Toyosu Market was opened
  • 2021: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were held
1923
After the Great Kanto Earthquake, Kosuke Kamata founded his knife sharpening business in the Tajima neighborhood of Asakusa Ward (currently 2-chome Nishi-Asakusa).
1926
The business moved to Shibasaki neighborhood (now 3-chome Nishi-Asakusa).
1940
Masao (Kosuke’s eldest son) joined the company.
1957
The business moved to 2-23-11 Nishi-Asakusa, Kappabashi Hondori Shopping Street.
1970
The Kamata Building was completed.
1995
Seiichi Kamata was appointed as the third president.
　
March 2003
Kenmax Co., Ltd. was established.
　
May 2004
The company moved to 2-chome Matsugaya on Kappabashi Dougu Street.
July 2007
The mascots Kacchan and Pakkun were created.
　
August 2007
Started knife sharpening classes as part of a cultural program by TBS Radio.
　
October 2007
The mascots Kacchan and Pakkun were unveiled at a ceremony with local children during the Kappabashi Kitchenware Festival.
　
April 2009
Opened the Pro Knife Center Tokyo in cooperation with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS Japan Ltd.
　
April 2010
Yosuke (Seiichi’s eldest son) joined the company.
March 2011
The company began supporting recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake through the Express Sharpening service for household knives.
Also released the R45 series and donated 10% of sales proceeds.
　
September 2011
Released the 88th series to commemorate the company’s 88th anniversary.
　
July 2012
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Kappabashi Dougu Street, we released 100 knives that were high-end models of the 88th series.
　
August 2012
Zwilling Sharpening Class began at PKC Tokyo.
　
March 2016
A set of two knives made from Shirogami #2 (White Steel #2) with Kurouchi finish (blacksmith finish) was awarded the Gold Prize in the OMOTENASHI Selection 2016 as a world-class Japanese technology.
May 2018
Zwilling Sharpening Class began at the ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS building in Motomachi.
October 2023
A limited-edition series of 100 knives was released to commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary.