the origin of echizen forged knives was in the early nanboku-cho period. in 1337, kuniyasu chiyotsuru, a sword maker from kyoto prefecture moved to "echizen no kuni" (present echizen city) and made sickles for the citizens. during his stay, many citizens began to make products using his techniques. because of this, echizen city became an area famous for their production of farming tools. during the edo period, these tools spread in japan through trading. they were noted for their lightness and sharpness, and because of this, knives made in echizen city became popular in japan. now, echizen produces many products other than knives, such as hatchets.