OSHU, Japan. Amid modern industrial techniques, Katsunori Suzuki stands as one of the few remaining artisans in Japan preserving the meticulous craft of handmade cast iron cookware. As president of the 172-year-old Oigen foundry, Kuniko Oikawa is determined to keep this traditional practice alive despite its high costs and the industry’s shift towards mechanization.
Suzuki, 59, has dedicated 40 years to mastering the art of creating cast iron cookware using the “tegome” method, or “hand stuffing.” This labor-intensive process involves forming molds from moist sand, which Suzuki meticulously tamps into an iron frame to achieve the precise density needed. Intricate designs are carved into the sand before molten iron, kept at a blistering 1,450 degrees Celsius (2,462 degrees Fahrenheit), is poured into the mold.
After cooling, the sand mold is broken apart with a hammer to reveal the cookware, which is then refined by removing excess iron. Crafting a single pot and lid takes Suzuki an entire day, followed by additional processes involving grinding, polishing, and baking to ensure rust resistance.
The traditional tegome method demands not only physical strength and dexterity but also a deep understanding of sand conditioning, adjusted for weather conditions. Each evening, Suzuki reconditions the sand for future use.
Kuniko Oikawa, the fifth president of the family-owned Oigen foundry, expressed her commitment to this dying art form. “The tegome method is considered inefficient and costly, and most foundries have abandoned it,” she noted. Despite this, Oikawa was inspired to revive the technique after discussions with a retired craftsman. The Oigen foundry, established in 1852 in Iwate prefecture, aims to honor its heritage by maintaining these age-old methods.
“We want to respect our predecessors who preserved the cast iron trade. We also think there is something new and creative about it,” Oikawa added. The foundry’s new brand, Mugu, launched in 2022, features high-end cast iron cooking pots designed by an artist with over 50 years at the Oigen foundry. Mugu pots are priced between $337 and $374, significantly higher than the $224 for the foundry’s most expensive machine-made pots.
Suzuki is also training Seksuk Suebsai, a Thai apprentice who began learning the tegome method in 2023. Together with a few other artisans, they craft the molds for the Mugu pots.
Oikawa emphasized the unique qualities of Mugu products, stating, “They are pure because they are made from the goodness of iron. I wanted to capture Iwate’s wilderness and climate in the iron, which is why we chose the local pronunciation of ‘mugu’ instead of ‘muku’.” The Mugu pots are available on the Mugu website and at the Oigen factory shop.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
