[VILLAGE Report vol.44] Iron kettles are crossing the seas | Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture's nationally designated items are Nambu Tekki ironware, Iwayado Tansu chests, Hidehira-nuri lacquerware, Joboji-nuri lacquerware these four items.

An iron kettle in kitchens overseas

Nambu Tekki ironware is cast ironware made mainly in Morioka and Mizusawa, Oshu City.

While Takaoka copperware in Toyama (vol.32) was used for Buddhist fittings and bronze statues, Nambu is for everyday use. Iron kettles, iron pots, wind chimes.

What is unusual about this production area is that there was a period when its popularity grew overseas before it did in Japan fact. In France and tea shops across Europe, colored iron kettles were used as teapots.

Iron is said to be unlikely to alter the taste even when boiling water. And, if used properly, it can last for decades.

It is the same as Tosa washi paper in Kochi (vol.17). Longevity itself becomes a reason for export.

A major production area for Japanese lacquer

Joboji-nuri lacquerware is lacquerware from the Joboji district of Ninohe City.

But this region is important for more than its vessels.

Most of the lacquer used in Japan is imported. Among domestic sources, Joboji is a major harvesting area for Japanese lacquer.

When repairing buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, there is a policy of using Japanese lacquer, The sap harvested by urushi tappers who cut the tree trunks is used in buildings in Nikko and Kyoto.

Kochi's Tosa washi paper was used around the world as restoration paper for cultural properties.

Paper from Kochi, lacquer from Iwate. Japan's old buildings and artworks are supported by these two production areas.

This is a kind of work that does not appear on shop shelves.

Chests that show their metal fittings

Iwayado Tansu chests are made by applying lacquer to zelkova or paulownia wood and attaching large hand-carved metal fittings.

They are very similar to Sendai Tansu chests in Miyagi (vol.42). Many chests from Tohoku are made to show their metal fittings.

Hidehira-nuri lacquerware is lacquerware named after Fujiwara no Hidehira of Hiraizumi, Cloud-shaped “Genji clouds” and “yusoku diamonds,” made by cutting gold leaf into diamond shapes and arranging them as its distinctive motif.

As we saw in Ishikawa (vol.31), more than 98% of Japan's domestic gold leaf is produced in Kanazawa. One vessel is made from Iwate lacquer and Ishikawa leaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can you get iron from water boiled in an iron kettle?
A. It is said that trace amounts of iron dissolve out from ironware, but the amount varies greatly depending on the product and how it is used. Since it is not intended for health benefits, we will avoid making any definitive statement here. Conditions also differ for iron kettles with enamel-coated interiors and teapot-type products.

Next issue, we go to Akita. It is a story about cherry bark.

References: Iwate Prefecture, Morioka City, Oshu City, Ninohe City, Hiraizumi Town, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries

—The Value Village Editorial Team