President, IWACHU.
Returned to the local area from Sendai in 1993 and joined the family business. Became President in 2019, succeeding the fourth generation.
![Akira Yaegashi [Third Generation Kiyoshi]](https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/1775a3633c8b428d9f011c6a758a8a5c/ddc449aca86942a5bdf58dffdde01bd9/%E5%85%AB%E9%87%8D%E6%A8%AB.jpg?w=200&fm=webp&dpr=2)
Traditional Craftsman, IWACHU.
Joined Iwachu in 1994, working under second-generation Kiyoshi and third-generation Kiyosue.
2001: Received the Grand Prize at Nambu Tekki Shinsakuten.
2003: Received the Industrial Arts Prize at Nambu Tekki Shinsakuten.
2006: Served as the Youth Committee Leader of the Nambu Tekki Cooperative.
From 2009: Actively exhibited youth members' works in the metropolitan area.
From 2009 onwards: Demonstration exhibitions in France and China.
2011: Certified as a Traditional Craftsman, becoming the third-generation Kiyoshi.
2023: Delivered a lecture and demonstration exhibition in Illinois, USA.
Handles a wide range from classical kettles to modern designed kettles.
Commits to everyday craft production.
Tradition and Innovation: The History of Iwachu Pursuing New Values in Nambu Ironware
Please tell us about the history and characteristics of Iwachu.
Yayoi Iwashimizu The founding of Iwachu was in 1902, Meiji 35. My great-grandfather, a Nambu Ironware craftsman, established the company upon becoming independent. Initially focusing solely on kettles, the company expanded its sales channels mainly to Hokkaido.However, after the war, as lifestyle changes transformed the era from coal and firewood to gas and electricity, the materials for kettles shifted to aluminum and stainless steel. The demand for iron kettles significantly declined.
Concerned about this situation, my grandfather thought, "If we only focus on kettles, we will hit a dead end in the future," and began to challenge new products such as wind chimes, ashtrays, and kitchenware. This became the foundation for Iwachu's diverse product development.
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