Tin, a metal that is easy to work with and is not harmful to the human body, has been used for centuries in the production of eating utensils and crafts. Upon discovering the availability of tin in Kagoshima, the tradition of making tin eating utensils, otherwise known as tinware, took root in the local culture.
There exists a company that has succeeded in preserving the history of Satsuma Tinware for over 100 years. That company is "Satsuma Suzuki Kogeikan" located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The company is committed to passing on the tradition to future generations, continuously refining its techniques while incorporating new trends.
In this article, we interviewed Hirokazu Iwakiri, the representative of the company, about the company's history, the manufacturing process of tinware, and their future prospects.
PROFILE
Hirokazu Iwakiri
Satsuma Suzuki Kogeikan Board Director, Born in 1973.
(1) Kagoshima Prefecture Traditional Crafts Designation (1997)
(2) Awarded at the 52nd South Japan Art Exhibition (1997)
(3) Excellent Group Award, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award, Persons of Merit of Traditional Craft Industries (2014)
(4) Representative of Kagoshima Prefecture, LEXUS TAKUMI Project (2018)
(5) President of Kagoshima Prefecture Trade Association Award, 2019 Kagoshima New Specialty Product Competition (2019)
(6) Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture Award, 2022 Kagoshima New Specialty Product Competition (2022)
(7) Two Crowns in the Kirishima City Gastronomy 7 Stars (2022)
Passing on the Tradition of Satsuma Tinware for 108 Years
First, could you tell us about your company?
Our company manufactures and sells products using a metal called "tin." We started this business in 1916, and this year marks our 108th anniversary.We now manufacture about 300 different types of tin products, including tumblers and tea caddies.
Impressive! Why do you have such a wide range of products?
We have been creating products that are favored for different lifestyles over time. Naturally, the longer we continue manufacturing, the more diverse our range becomes.One of the unique features of tinware is that it does not break or rust. Many people choose tinware as gifts and it pleases both the giver and the receiver.
Kagoshima is famous for shochu, and there is a culture of drinking it. Drinking shochu from tinware makes it taste even better.
Your tinware has won several awards, hasn't it?
We began receiving awards when our chairman, Manabu Iwakiri, presented a piece of tinware to Emperor Showa when he was about 30 years old.Manabu Iwakiri was selected as a "Master Craftsman of Today," a recognition of outstanding craftsmen. He also received the "Yellow Ribbon Medal," an award for those who have made pioneering contributions to industry.
That’s an acknowledgement of your technical excellence. Are there differences between Japanese tinware and those made overseas?
Since the ways tableware is used differ between Japan and other countries, the products produced are also different. For example, we have a culture of using chopstick rests in Japan, but this does not exist overseas. Thus, most of the tinware abroad are Western tableware.In recent years, traditional yet simple products like tumblers have become popular in Japan.
When developing new products, do you incorporate trends and customer opinions?
We do. Our company often attends exhibitions, and we take back customer feedback from these events to improve our products. We always make it a point to listen to what our customers have to say.
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