Soft Iron, Born in the Casting Town of Yamagata

"You see, our process is different right down to the type of sand we use," Kikuchi begins, holding a handful of the sand used for the molds.

The secret to Yamagata casting lies in this very sand. Sand from the Mogami River basin has round grains, which yields a smooth finish. In contrast, mountain sand is angular and compacts tightly. This distinction is what gives the iron its delicate surface texture.

"The secret to creating iron that appears soft is all in the blend of this sand."

Achieving such fine detail is an incredibly difficult feat.

"Mastering fine sand is incredibly challenging. But that’s a skill the artisans of Yamagata possess."

It's this combination of local resources and the artisans' intuitive touch that elevates Yamagata casting to an "art for everyday life."