Beginner Japanese Knife

Considering getting your first Japanese kitchen knife but not sure which one to get? For knife types, the basics include a Gyuto (or a Stantoku if you prefer a smaller knife) and a Petty with an optional bread knife, or Pankiri in Japanese terms. For makers, look for brands like Tojiro, Masutani, Misono, etc, as they are reliable, affordable, and generally available.