It takes a couple of weeks to make a knife. First step is called "Araji" which is to attach bare metal and chisel steel. We take Japanese metals used as nails or hinges for the old shrine, temple or store rooms. It is getting hard to get Japanese metals nowadays, so we keep metals 350 years old. We build a fire with coke, heats hagane metal until it turns red. Beat it with a spring hammer to attach two metals together. As an old Japanese saying "Strike the iron when it's hot", this process requires concentration and the speed. It sure does spurt fire.
The next process is called "Hizukuri", which is to heat the metal in a fire and form into a proper shape. The process requires quickness and concentration only by using five senses.
After the metal gets cool down, finishing the shape, put in special water to cool down the metal to gain a further strength which is called "Yakiire". Next process is "Togi" to edge a knife with grindstone. The whole finishing processes requires skills and mastery of the craftsman. There are many ways to show the skills in finishing.

1. Put Housha or steel powder to the iron   2. Strike the iron   3. Finishing a shape of a knife