At first glance, the connection between a high-performance sports car and an artisanal kitchen blade may not be immediately apparent. But to Nissan Design America, which spearheaded the project, the parallels are unmistakable. Both disciplines demand a relentless commitment to engineering excellence, material integrity, and a deep understanding of balance—whether in aerodynamics or edge geometry.
A Legacy of Precision
For nearly a century, the Kiryu family has crafted blades of exceptional quality in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture. Satoshi Kiryu, grandson of the company’s founder, has spent nearly 50 years refining his technique, and his latest creation is one of his most distinctive yet. The Z NISMO Precision Sushi Knife is an homage to the beloved Nissan Z, incorporating the same attention to detail and craftsmanship found in the marque’s performance vehicles.
“I designed this knife with an image of the Z NISMO always in my head,” said Kiryu, whose admiration for the Fairlady Z dates back to childhood. “When Nissan approached me for this project, I was so happy.”
His design follows the kiritsuke style, a revered blade shape traditionally reserved for executive chefs. The 210-millimeter (8.27-inch), double-beveled blade is laser-cut, tempered, and polished before receiving its signature kuro zome finish—a striking black-dyed surface achieved through an oxide film treatment on stainless steel. The handle, crafted from buffalo horn, is adorned with a red spacer in a nod to the unmistakable accents found on the NISMO edition’s bodywork.
“The top edge of the knife is designed to look sharp, with no excess metal—just like the Z,” said Kiryu.
A Blade for Culinary Purists
Renowned sushi chef Hiroyuki Terada, a longtime Nissan enthusiast with more than two million YouTube subscribers, was instrumental in refining the knife’s functionality. Unlike multipurpose kitchen knives, the Z NISMO Precision Sushi Knife was developed specifically for sushi preparation, ensuring ultra-precise cuts that maintain the integrity of each ingredient.
“A chef is only as good as their knife,” Terada said. “This blade allows us to elevate our craft to the highest level possible.”
Limited to just 240 pieces—a tribute to the original 240Z—each knife is individually numbered and arrives in a custom black-lacquered box. The interior lid features the six generations of Z logos, paying homage to Nissan’s enduring sports car lineage.
Priced at $300.23, a subtle nod to Nissan’s racing heritage, the Z NISMO Precision Sushi Knife is available exclusively through the NISMO Parts website. In celebration of this cultural collaboration, Nissan will make a contribution to the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, further strengthening the ties between Japan and the United States through a shared passion for precision and performance.