Nambu Cast Ironwork Metal Iwate Prefecture Cooperative Union Nambu Cast Ironwork Association 64-102 Aza Oirino, Tsunagi, Morioka, Iwate Prefecture tel 0196-89-2336 Background Present-day Morioka is at the center of an area which was controlled by the Nambu clan at the beginning of the 17th century. It was then that craftsmen practiced in the art of making chagama or pots used to heat water for the tea ceremony were invited to Morioka from Kyoto. Many more casters were subsequently engaged by the clan and the production of weapons, chagama , and other pots began in earnest. The now famous Nambu cast-iron teakettles were the result of refining and scaling down the larger chagama, a process which happened in the 18th century, and they became widely used because of their lightness. Cast-iron kettles were also being made in the adjoining area of Mizusawa, which in the past was governed by the Date clan. During the Meiji era (1868-1912) there was an exchange of ideas and techniques between the two areas, leading to the cast-iron work from this larger area being called Nambu Cast Ironwork from the 1950s. The durability and rich yet unassuming character of Nambu cast ironwork is well known and the distinctive raised spot patterns on the teakettles and chagama somehow speak of the warmth and spirit of their makers. This craft still thrives with 80 firms employing 980 workers, 19 of which are government recognized Master Craftsmen.