Shimomura Kogyo Co., Ltd.
A Sanjō-based Japanese cutlery and kitchen-tool maker rooted in 1874 blacksmithing, producing household and professional knives, kitchen gadgets and precision blades.
Last updated September 29, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Shimomura Kogyo Co., Ltd. (下村工業株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer of kitchen knives, kitchen tools and precision blades headquartered in Sanjō, Niigata Prefecture — the heart of the Tsubame-Sanjō metalworking region. Its corporate lineage reaches back to 1874, when the family began work as a Sanjō cutlery blacksmith; the modern company was formally established in 1957 and began producing stainless-steel knives. The company describes its founding motto as a willingness to take on new challenges, combining inherited blade-making craft with the ability to commercialize products for changing times. The product range spans household and professional kitchen knives, electric cooking blades, industrial precision blades, ceramic blades, plastic molded parts and a broad array of kitchen utensils. Its knife brands include Verdun (stainless one-piece handle), the Damascus-patterned UN-RYU / 雲竜 series, the HACCP-oriented professional Ryūji series, and the Murato series launched in 2019. On the kitchen-tool side, the company markets the Full Vegi fruit-and-vegetable preparation series and the Prograde series of cutting, peeling and grating tools, along with specialty lines such as the Yakiper hot-plate cooking series. Shimomura Kogyo operates from its headquarters and Ōshima Kasei division in Sanjō, and has expanded internationally with a Hong Kong subsidiary established in 1994. It sells through retail, gift and professional channels, participates in trade shows such as the Tokyo International Gift Show and the Tsubame-Sanjō Factory Festival, and launched its own e-commerce site, flulushop, in 2022. The company is privately held with capital of ¥99.9 million and is led by president Tatsuhiro Shimomura, who also heads its DX promotion committee.
History
Shimomura Kogyo traces its origins to 1874, when the family began operating as a cutlery blacksmith in Tajima, Sanjō, in Japan's Niigata Prefecture. This region, together with neighboring Tsubame, forms the Tsubame-Sanjō metalworking cluster known for knives, tools and metal housewares. The modern corporation, Shimomura Kogyo Co., Ltd., was established on March 5, 1957, and began producing stainless-steel knives. In 1962, a kitchen tool with a rose-shaped handle became a major hit and helped the company expand its sales nationwide. The Ōsaki factory's second-phase construction was completed in 1967, and the head office was relocated there. In 1973, the company established Jalko Co., Ltd. — the predecessor of Shimomura Kihan — transferring its planning and sales division to the new entity. The company entered electric cooking appliances and blade components in 1977, and introduced an automated precision-blade production line in 1978. In 1984, Tokyo Small and Medium Business Investment & Consultation Co., Ltd. invested capital, raising stated capital to ¥90 million. In 1986, the company began producing ceramic blades and implemented a business-conversion plan, also introducing plastic molding machines. In 1990, it started operations at the Ōshima Industrial Park as its Kasei (chemical/molding) division, fully activating a plastic resin molding line. A plant export to the former Soviet Union was completed in 1991. In 1994, Shimomura Hong Kong Co., Ltd. was established, marking international expansion. The company began manufacturing professional electric cutters in 1997 and started producing robotic air nippers in 1998. Product development continued into the 2000s. In 2003, it launched the Verdun stainless one-piece knife series. In 2008, it released the UN-RYU Damascus knife series. In 2014, it introduced the Full Vegi fruit-and-vegetable preparation series and the Prograde series of cutting, peeling and grating tools. In 2017, it launched the Ryūji professional kitchen knife series designed for HACCP compliance. In 2019, it released the Murato knife series, pursuing sharpness and ease of use. In 2022, the company launched its own e-commerce site, flulushop. In recent years, Shimomura Kogyo has pursued digital transformation. Its DX strategy, led by president Tatsuhiro Shimomura, focuses on IoT-enabled factory visualization, GX (green transformation) management, sales DX and CRM enhancement, and workforce development through AI platforms. The company's stated vision is to evolve inherited skills and wisdom to continue making trusted tools for the next 100 years.
- 2022
Own e-commerce site 'flulushop' launched.
- 2019
Murato knife series launched.
- 2017
Ryūji HACCP-compliant professional knife series launched.
- 2014
Full Vegi and Prograde kitchen tool series launched.
- 2008
UN-RYU Damascus knife series launched.
- 2003
Verdun stainless one-piece knife series launched.
- 1998
Robotic air nipper production begins.
- 1997
Professional electric cutter manufacturing begins.
- 1994
Shimomura Hong Kong Co., Ltd. established.
- 1991
Plant export to the former Soviet Union completed.
Products and positioning
A Tsubame-Sanjō cutlery maker combining traditional blacksmith craftsmanship with modern product development, serving both household and professional users.
Verdun knife series
Stainless one-piece handle knives, easy to wash and maintain.
UN-RYU (雲竜) knife series
Damascus-patterned knives using VG10 steel with cobalt for sharpness and edge retention.
Ryūji (龍治) knife series
Professional kitchen knives with water-sharpened edges, HACCP compliant.
Murato (村斗) knife series
Knives pursuing sharpness and ease of use, launched 2019.
Full Vegi series
Kitchen tools for preparing fruits and vegetables.
Prograde series
Cutting, peeling and grating tools leveraging blade-maker technology.
Yakiper series
Tools for enjoying hot-plate cooking.
Sources5 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/shimomura-ind-co-ltd-japan · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled