A "Land Blessed by Heaven": Iron, Sand, Charcoal, and Lacquer All in One Place

The most fundamental reason Nambu ironware thrived in Iwate is its incredible geographic advantage: all the resources essential for casting were concentrated in a remarkably small area.

As one traditional artisan told us, "Everything we needed was right here in Iwate." His words paint a picture of Iwate as a veritable "land blessed by heaven" for iron casting.

Specifically, the main ingredient, high-quality iron sand and ore, was plentiful in the Kitakami Mountains.

Next, the river sand and clay needed to create the casting molds (igata) were easily sourced from the basin of the Kitakami River, which runs through the heart of the region.

Furthermore, the charcoal used as fuel to melt the iron was supplied in abundance by the rich surrounding forests. And the lacquer (urushi) used for the final coloring and rust-proofing is also sourced locally, as Iwate Prefecture is a major production center, accounting for the majority of Japan's domestic output.

Being able to source every single component locally—from raw iron to sand, clay, charcoal, and lacquer—created a completely self-sufficient production cycle.

This unique environment, which allowed the entire production cycle to be completed without relying on external supplies, is the bedrock that has enabled Nambu ironware to be produced continuously for over 400 years.