Nambu Ironware [1]
Over the past several years “Nambu Ironware” has become increasingly popular with women concerned about their health. Much of it’s popularity owes to the 2007 NHK drama series, “Dondo Hare”, in which one of the main characters was a “Nanbu Ironware” craftsman.
It is said that water boiled in “Nambu Ironware” is rich in iron, due to iron dissolving from the kettle into the water. The iron makes the taste milder and increase the iron content of the water we drink. The type of iron which dissolves into the water is easily-absorbable ferrous iron (Fe 2+), which has been noted for it’s health benefits. This makes “Nambu Ironware” and ideal vessel for boiling coffe, tea, green tea and milk for babies. The modern diet leaves people with an iron deficiency. This is especially true of women and children who should proactively try to ingest sufficient amounts of iron. For this reason I would like to suggest you supplement your iron intake by enjoying tea and other beverages made from water boiled in Nambu iron kettles, one of Japan’s traditional crafts.
Just two years ago, I went Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture to see Mr. Miya in the ‘Kamasada’ factory one of the most traditional workshops of Nambu Ironware.
Iwate Prefecture is an old and historical area well known for its famous local products and historic places including; Wanko-soba, Morioka-cold noodles, Chuson-ji temple, as well as Nambu Ironwere. It is also famous as the hometown of Kenji Miyazawa who is one of the most popular authors in Japan.
I still remember the moment I first caught a glance of the Northeastern area of the city as I pulled into Morioka Station. I immediately felt the dignified and venerable atmosphere lingering from the days Morioka used to be a castle town.
It displays the name ‘KAMASADA’, in Roman letters. Now that’s cool!
Kamasada produces not only the kettles and other ironware for the tea ceremonies, but also other iron goods routinely used, such as vases, ash trays, rice kettles, nabes, and pans.
The speciality of Mr. Miya’s iron-works are they’re simple and homely yet modern and fresh reflecting his personality, which attracts lots of people from all over the world.
The first thing I noticed was the sand covered floor of the workshop. In the corner of the workshop, there was a furnace, and dozens of molds piled up against the wall. Next to them, there remained plenty of ironwares on their way to being finished as well.
Glimpsing theis scene, I really felt this building was a sanctuary for the craftsmen.
Kamasada’s Nambu Ironware needs over 40 operations to complete, and each product is entirely handcrafted.
Each piece is the result of a fight between the craftsman and the iron, acarefully-prepared work of Mr.Miya, himself.
As you come to appreciate the fact that they are not merely black but and elegant black, homely but still modern.., I feels a strong sense of what a wonderful traditional craft they are.
I hope this great craftsmanship that can create these heartwarming goods out of iron, sand, and fire can be duly handed down in posterity.
Next time, I would like to check and introduce how to use and maintain the Ironware so that we can enjoy them as long as possible.
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Loading ...July 17, 2008 - 5:43 pm
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