Craft x Tech is an initiative to bridge the gap between traditional Japanese craft and contemporary technology. Our goal is to create a novel and unique body of artworks that express both the history and future potential of these beautiful materials and techniques. With this in mind, we have selected a group of designers and artists whose work we respect and admire and who we believe will bring new and meaningful insights to these centuries-old master crafts traditions. For its inaugural edition, 6 traditional crafts from 6 prefectures of the Tohoku region and 6 designers/creators collaborated. Furthermore, as part of this project, the participating creators and craftsmen are invited to hold a special lecture series.
For the fourth lecture in May, we invited Mr Kei Sato from Saaki Chuzosho (Saaki Foundry). Mr Sato gave a lecture on the history of iron casting in Iwate prefecture and his passion for introducing Nambu Tekki to wider public.
Unfortunately, Mr Young was unable to join us due to unforeseen circumstances.
*Nambu Tekki is iron casting that has been made in Morioka City and Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture since the 17th century. Its main products are household items such as tea pots and iron kettles. Not only traditional black but also various shades such as red, blue and green, as well as various patterns and forms are available.
Lecture by Kei Sato
Kei Sato
Saaki Chuzosho, 3rd generation. Traditional craftsman. Born in 1978. Engaging in the family business since 2004. Producer of "Nambu Tekki" iron kettles using traditional techniques established by his grandfather, and also creates original items applying modern techniques. Engages in personal projects, creating original items upon request from restaurants, traditional Japanese inns, designers, and brands. Handles all tasks from design to technical aspects within the workshop.
History of Nambu Tekki
Nambu Tekki is the general term for cast ironware produced in Iwate Prefecture. There are two main ironware production centres. One is Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture, where about 400 years ago, the feudal lord of the Nambu domain called in kettle makers from Kyoto to make tea kettles and iron kettles. They were used in the supreme culture such as gifts among the upper echelons of society. The other is the town of Mizusawa, located in the south of Iwate Prefecture. The ironware industry flourished here about 900 years ago when the Oshu Fujiwara clan invited foundry workers from Omi Province to make iron pots, rice kettles, and other daily necessities for the common people. Our workshop has its roots in the ironware production that developed in this town of Mizusawa. Originally, these two areas were places where high quality fuel, iron materials, and sand for making moulds could be obtained. The combination of the land’s quality and history allowed the foundry industry to take root and continue to the present day.
During the Edo period, the Nambu clan ruled in the north to the centre of Iwate and the Date clan ruled in the south. In the modern era, these areas were combined to form Iwate Prefecture. Furthermore, after the war, when naming traditional industries, Morioka was the capital of Iwate Prefecture and could use the name Nambu. In addition, since Mizusawa is located in the south of Iwate Prefecture, the term “Nambu” could be used, and the two were combined to be called Nambu Tekki.
Process of Nambu Tekki
There are mainly four steps in the production process. The first is mould making, and the second step is pouring, which means pouring molten iron. The third step is shaping the item by polishing and processing. The fourth and final step is colouring. Steel will rust if left as it is, thus painting must be done with to prevent rust. These four processes are rough divisions, and the actual work can be subdivided into more than 60 processes.
The ironware industry in my local area is characterized by mould making and colouring operations. There are two types of mould making techniques: yakigata (lit: firing moulds) and namagata (lit: raw moulds). Yakigata are made by hand, one mould at a time, using sand from the river and traditional tools, without the use of machines or electricity. This technique is mainly used to make iron kettles and kettles for tea gatherings. Namagata, also called metal moulds, is a technique to make moulds for mass production using machines and electricity. It is suitable for making iron pots, skillets that are popular now with the camping boom, wind chimes, paperweights, teapots, and other small items for mass production.
One method of colouring is to use natural lacquer. This is done by hand, baking each piece individually. The other method is to use artificial paint, which is sprayed on at once with an air gun. The iron kettle designated as a traditional craft is an iron kettle formed in a yakigata and colored with natural lacquer, and my workshop specializes in making these kettles.
Lowering the Threshold of Nambu Tekki
I started making iron kettles in 2004 at the age of 25 when I joined my family’s Saaki Chuzosho. In 2019, I obtained the national certification as a traditional craftsman in recognition of my skills in making moulds and colouring. I am still making the same kettles that I have been making since my grandfather and father’s generation, but I have also launched another brand called “~Yururi~”. The concept of this brand is to make ironware for everyday use that can be a part of your life.
About 20 years ago, when I started my work, the mainstream products I made were iron kettles with small protrusions. However, the traditional industry was not something that many people were familiar with, so I began to think about the direction I wanted to take. What kind of activities should I be involved in to make more people aware of Nambu Tekki? I came to the conclusion that it is vital to lower the threshold of Nambu Tekki. When we hear the words “tradition” and “Nambu Tekki,” we tend to imagine something prestigious, but as long as we are in the business of making and selling things, we must make things that sell. If we cling to tradition, nothing will change. We want to make products that people pick up and think, “I like this,” but in fact they are Nambu Tekki. That is why I launched the “~Yururi~” brand. The brand name “~Yururi~” comes from the situation where the lid is shifted slightly to create an escape route for the steam when boiling water in an iron kettle, and the steam rises upwards from the side of the lid, which I thought was relaxing.
Another request came from a chef of a restaurant in Gaienmae (Tokyo), who requested me to make a rice cooker with a capacity of 3 sho (approximately 4.5 kg). He wanted to serve rice cooked in pot in the hearth to his customers. The dimensions of this pot are so large that it could not be formed with the namagata mould I mentioned earlier: it can only be made with traditional skills. In addition, I made an effort to create something that perfectly fit the ideal of the chef by carefully observing the atmosphere of the restaurant and listening to the chef’s requests. I also made the handle of the oven. I made it by simply bending a piece of steel bar, and thanks to this, I even acquired the skill of bending it. Generally, iron kettle makers and foundry workers outsource this kind of work to specialists. I wanted to learn more about iron and do it myself as much as possible, so I also made the handles. This kettle is set up where the inside of the kitchen can be seen from the counter seats, and rice is served directly from it to the customers. I am happy that I was able to take on the challenge of creating a product that I believe I would never have been able to do if I had only made iron kettles. I want to use this as an opportunity to promote Nambu Tekki more, so I don’t put my mark on the ironware I make. I don’t want to sell my authorship.
Returning to the Starting Point and Improving Technology
Recently, I have been trying to make some traditional ones because I have been making various unusual ironware. This is an iron kettle I completed last month. The lower part of the body of the kettle is slightly chipped and irregularly shaped. This is one of the designs found on traditional kettles. To match this scraggly impression, I added a skull knob on the lid. The skull is made with a technique to make it three-dimensional.
I was selling iron kettles at an event last week, and customers stopped to look at the unusual kettles. I hope that these kettles will trigger people’s interest. My current approach is to lower the barriers to Nambu Tekki while at the same time continuing to improve our techniques. In this project of Craft x Tech, I received various orders from Michael, the designer, and I thought these would also lead to a new level of self-improvement and skill development. I would be very happy if people who saw this initiative said, “Is this Nanbu Tekki? This is amazing!”.
[Event Details]
Date: 21 May 2024
Venue: ENEOS Hall, The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology
1st Floor, South Wing, Building 3, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Speakers: Kei Sato and Hideki Yoshimoto