Suwada History & Awards

The Story of Suwada Blacksmith Works (1926 – Today)

A Legacy Forged in Sanjo, Niigata

Suwada Blacksmith Works is located in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, one of the world’s most renowned regions for high-end metalwork. The company was founded in 1926 by Shukusaburo Kobayashi, who began manufacturing kuikiri, or end-cut pliers, for carpenters rebuilding homes after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

From the beginning, Suwada specialized in tools that demand absolute precision—tools where two blades must meet perfectly and cut cleanly in a single motion. This philosophy continues to define Suwada’s identity today.

Growth Through Craft & Innovation

While many traditional manufacturers declined over the decades, Suwada grew by embracing both tradition and modernity:

Traditional techniques carried from master to apprentice
Meticulous manufacturing from material selection to final hand-finishing
Modern tools and architecture such as the new Open Factory
A design-led approach that prioritizes functionality and beauty

Every Suwada tool is still passed from hand to hand through the production line, blending experience, intuition, and careful craftsmanship that no machine can fully replace.

Timeline of Suwada’s Milestones

1926 – 1950s

1926 – Production of kuikiri begins in Ichinokido, Sanjo.
1950 – Development of the gourd-shaped nail nipper, a precursor to Suwada’s modern designs.
1956 – Expansion into edged tools for gardening and bonsai at the new Suwada facility.

1970s – 1990s

1973 – New factory constructed in Koanji, Sanjo.
1974 – Suwada becomes an incorporated company; Kiichi Kobayashi becomes president.
1989 – Second factory built, marking a significant expansion of production.
Early 1990s – New office buildings constructed; several innovations recognized with design awards.
1995 – Kurikuri Bozu II chestnut peeler wins a Good Design Award.
1996 – Suwada Nail Nipper wins a Good Design Award.

2000 – 2015

A period of major recognition, expansion and design achievements:

2002 – Nail Nipper Soft and Nail Pusher Duo receive Good Design Awards.
2005 – Opening of Suwada’s first Factory Showroom.
2007 – Suwada wins multiple design awards including the Design Excellent Company Award.
2009 – Cuticle Nipper wins a Good Design Award.
2010 – Design for Asia Award for the Suwada Nail Nipper.
2011 – International attention for Suwada’s damascus cufflinks and the Open Factory concept.
2014 – Suwada Bookmarker wins IDS Award.
2015 – Suwada selected for The Wonder 500, a recognition of Japan’s best regional products.

2016 – Today

2016 – Soft Slim Nail Nipper wins a Good Design Award.
2017 – Classic Nail Nipper wins Gold Prize at the East Japan Rail Souvenir Grand Prix.
2018 – Damascus Folding Knife wins a Good Design Award.
2019 – Multiple awards including Good Design Best 100 for new nail clipper designs.
2020 – Launch of the completely redesigned Open Factory—a landmark in transparency and modern craftsmanship.
2021 – Establishment of Suwada Brussels, the third international subsidiary.
2021 – New Petit Nail Nipper wins Good Design Award and IDS Bronze Award.

Leadership: Tomoyuki Kobayashi (CEO, 3rd Generation Blacksmith)

The current CEO, Tomoyuki Kobayashi, is widely known for transforming Suwada into a model modern craft company.

His contributions include:

Creating the Suwada Open Factory, allowing anyone—even competitors—to observe production freely.
Modernizing working conditions beyond typical Japanese standards.
Supporting regional collaboration and transparency in craftsmanship.
Leading the Open Factory Festival (Kōba no Saiten) in Tsubame-Sanjo.

Under his leadership, Suwada’s factory now includes:

An in-house restaurant with professional chefs
Relaxation rooms, fitness rooms, showers
A hillside park behind the factory
A free nursery for employees' children

His philosophy:

“We improve the good, remove the worries, and work hard.
A happy craftsperson will make a great product.
A great product makes the customer happy.
A happy customer makes a better society. This is Suwada.”