Nigara Hamono is located in Hirosaki, on the northern side of Japan in Aomori Prefecture. Steel manufacturing in the area has been carried out for a long time. On the blacksmiths in the area was the Nigara family, who were tasked with making swords for the Tsugaru clan about 350 years ago.

Now Nigara Hamono is a family run business, now lead by 8th generation blacksmith Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa. All Nigara knives are made by hand in the traditional way by master blacksmiths. The factory itself manufactures all kinds of farming and industrial tools for trades people in the local area.

Nigara makes stunning unique pieces, identifiable by the intricate tsuchime finish on the blades which is unique to the brand.