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Kikuchi Hojudo is Japan’s oldest ironcasting company based in Yamagata prefecture. Forged in 1604 during the Edo Period, its craftsmen are famed for producing bespoke iron tea kettles - known as "tetsubin". These tea kettles are more than ordinary household tools however. They are vital elements part of the Japanese tea ceremony. It is believed that water boiled with iron kettles produce a much smoother taste and provides a source of iron which was lacked by many Japanese before mass consumption of beef. Made exclusively using a locally refined iron called "wazuku", it allows the kettles to be extraordinarily thin and rust proof.
Although iron kettles have been largely replaced by electric ones, they have evolved to become status symbols. Kikuchi Hojudo has produced kettles that serve as gifts for generations of Japanese emperors. In fact, during World War 2 the Japanese Imperial Army was so impressed with their iron casting skills and light weight of the metal they ordered the foundry to construct grenade shells. The then 13th generation owner fought in the war and was incidentally assigned a grenade - which he noticed was made at his foundry - for suicide in case of capture. Luckily he survived the war and resumed the business of making kettles after the war ended.
Its current owner, Noriyasu Kikuchi, is the 15th generation owner. While he strives to maintain the artisanal traditions of his previous generations, he has steered the company well through the modern age by creating sleek and chic designs that embodies the Japanese aesthetics of minimalism and functionality. And while the world automates its factories and replaces its workers with robots, Kikuchi does not see a future where they would not continue relying on traditional handcraft skills. It’s a very labour-intensive process that requires dedicated apprentices. But with Japan’s ageing workforce and slow erosion of traditional craft skills, the burden of the company’s future will rest on his 20-year-old son Kenta who will carry on as 16th generation owner.
Special thanks to:
Kikuchi Hojudo staff
Kikuchi family
Judy Evans
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Gear: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Zeiss lenses, Black pro mist 1/2, DJI Ronin S & Mavic 2 Pro. Edited with Davinci Resolve.
Music: Licensed from Artlist & Premiumbeat
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'The Japanese Artisan Series' is a non-commercial project by Edwin Lee (Hong Kong) in collaboration with One Ocean Partners (Singapore). It focuses on documenting little-known but highly skilled artisans and tradespeople across Japan centering on themes of tradition and succession. With Japan's ageing population, low birth rate and reluctance of young workers to enter such niche industries, these people's traditional skills are in danger of being lost.