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Nambu Cast Ironwork Morioka iron, a representative of traditional crafts | |||
Cast iron from Morioka is so well known throughout Japan that some say "If you speak of traditional crafts, you mean Nambu iron ware." Brought up amidst the abundant nature of the Nambu region, cast iron continues to warm our day-to-day lives. | |||
Nambu cast iron ware was declared as the traditional craft in 1975. The history of Nambu cast iron work goes back 350 years, beginning around the mid-17th century when the Nambu domain was situated in Morioka. Morioka, with abundant iron sand and wood for charcoal -- the raw materials -- has come to be known all over Japan as a primary production center of cast iron ware. Originally, only tea kettles were made, but the number of wares grew, so in addition to cast iron jars, Nambu cast iron ware includes pots, kettles, wind chimes, accessories, and various other items of daily use. In recent years, there has been a sort of boom in ironware since the health benefits of iron made from melted down ironware has become known. What is more, it is not only visually attractive: Nambu cast-iron ware has been very positively reassessed in terms of practicality. We visited the "Morioka Craft Village" where many craftsmen making Nambu cast iron ware are gathered. |
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"After three or five years, you can make things that will sell. But if you go beyond that, there are no limits to what you can do. That's our world." So says Mr Tomoyuki Maeda, head of Kozan Kobo, one of the five workshops of Morioka Craft Village. In addition to Mr Maeda, sweat pours from three other workers in the workshop making cast iron ware. "First I was a salesman of the Nambu cast iron ware, but I've been making it for 20 years now. If you can put up with it for five years, it becomes an enjoyable job. But a lot of people quit." In this world where workers cultivate their craft by honest effort every day, one internalizes the craft through great endurance over long years of effort, and a certain spirit of inquiry which gives more polish to one's art. |
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The roughness of making of cast iron ware is particularly prominent whereas with most of other crafts the work is carried out soundlessly. Mr Maeda spoke with us while filing down the spout of a piece of iron ware. "This will completely change the ease of pouring," he says. The sound of the metal filing is louder than filing on wood, and it grates inside one's head. Iron melts in the scorching, 1,300-plus degree heat of the cupola. Just the opposite of this is the soundlessness of the job of form-pressing to create the pattern that gives the expressive "face" to the iron kettle. This hushed operation is repeated 3,000 times for each piece. The rough work, the quiet work, is repeated, and the iron ware product draws near to completion. Workers facing each other continue, unspeaking, among the harsh sounds produced by their work. The elaborate process continues wordlessly in the rough environment. |
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"A lot of people think that cast iron kettles have to be heated up on charcoal, but that's not the case. You can also heat them with gas. We just want it to be used." Many people think that cast iron kettles rust easily, or are too careful about using them. "After heating the water in the kettle, transfer it to a pot. The kettle has become hot, so the water will evaporate and it will dry out. That's all you have to do and you'll never have rust." In fact, with only a little care, a cast iron kettle can give years of service. |
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In recent years, there has been an increase in apartments being built with electric kitchens instead of gas as a way to help prevent the possibility of fires. Proactively developing new products to meet this new environment is Mr Konno, chairman of the Nambu Cast Iron Association. "When compared to stainless steel kettles, cast iron transmits heat better and heats up faster," he says. They are also working hard on making cast iron kettles that can be used in an electric kitchen. Mr Konno works in cast iron, and is urging the making of cast iron ware that fits today's life. Popular reception of such efforts will push Nambu cast iron ware out of the shadows. They are also working hard to find men from outside the prefecture to follow in their footsteps. When compared to the hustle and bustle of society, it is a world of modest craftsmen, but "Nambu cast iron ware is a regional tradition that is praised all over the world. We want to find courageous young men who want to carry on this craft." Many young men are responding to this call. |
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