Craftspeople from hardest-hit areas of Japan display wares in Chicago
Naked Pan makes cast iron cookware unseasoned until a cook gets ahold of it. Wired Beans makes beautiful red glasses.
These companies and others from the areas of Japan most devastated by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster a year ago exhibited at the recent International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.
The Japanese government sponsored the appearance of these 10 companies because the northeast part of the country is renowned for its traditional artisans as well as infamous for the tragedy, said Kaoriko Okamura, wife of Consul General Yoshifumi Okamura.
In the case of Naked Pan, Oigen Foundry Co. makes a product with no coating at all. The cook seasons the pan with olive oil and salt, assuring himself no chemicals are used.
“The pans are heated to 900 degrees Celsius, (1,652 degree Fahrenheit) during manufacturing,” said a spokeswoman for Kuniko Oikawa, chief executive officer of Oigen. “It is healthy and sustainable, and can be used on any cooktop or oven.”
Some of the pans come with removable handles so they can go right to the table as serving ware.
Oigen Foundry Co. in Iwate province has been making Nambu ironware since 1852.
Wired Beans in Sendai near the epicenter of the quake won a prestigious Asian design award for its glasses, made for sake and more Western drinks either plain or in black, white or the catchy new red lacquer version. According to The New York Times, each glass in its own presentation box costs $58 to $237 wholesale. The company also makes furniture from trees killed in the tragedy.
The website in Japanese is mono.wiredbeans.jp. Info@wiredbeans.jp is the email address.
The owners of these companies, often working with interpreters, were seeking feedback from retailers and looking for U.S. distributors. Prices were not firm yet, said a spokeswoman.
One example is $135 for an 8.3-inch Naked Pan, which the spokeswoman said includes shipping. Generally a minimum order is required because of the expense of shipping such heavy items, but the company is willing to negotiate while it works on entry to the U.S. market, and that price is good through April. Interested customers can email inquiry@oigen.jp. The main website is oigen.jp in Japanese, though they do have an informational English-language site at nakedpan.com.
Several lacquerware companies made the trip to the home show, including Joboji Urushi Workshop in Iwate, crafter of bowls, cups, boxes, clocks and jewelry boxes. Finishing these authentic wares takes three months because the natural lacquer is applied seven times, air drying each time, said Hiroko Saito, who works at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and served as a translator.
Japan Iron is unusual because its craftsmen apply lacquer to hammered iron, not wood or plastic, to make accessories like sake cups for special celebrations, candlesticks and pens and penholders as well as jewelry. Masaru Suzuki also does custom work with such things as door handles and drapery accessories, often for hotels. The website is japan-iron.jp.
Iwayado Tansu Chest Association showed a wooden two-drawer chest trimmed in metal. Traditionally people gave these for wedding gifts, said Saito. Her grandmother used hers for sewing supplies, but it could store tea or perhaps even paper almost like a horizontal file drawer. Custom chests are available. Each is made so precisely that when one drawer is opened and closed, the second drawer opens from the air pressure. The website has an English translation at iwayado-tansu.jp/en
The government-affiliated Jetro, which sponsored the trip and promotes these companies, has an office in Chicago and can be reached at jetro.org.