- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,056
- 18,911
In this post, we mentioned the small ironware maker from Iwate, Ohtani's home prefecture.
Ohtani's bump proved to be a veritable windfall for Oitomi:
A traditional handicraft from Iwate Prefecture, the home region of baseball star Shohei Ohtani, is experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to the "Ohtani effect." Nambu tekki, or Nambu ironware, is renowned for its distinctive nubbly kettles, which tea ceremony enthusiasts have cherished for centuries.
When Ohtani received a Nambu kettle in Dodgers blue as a gift and shared it on his Instagram Stories, it sparked significant interest. Online sleuths traced the kettle to Oitomi, a workshop in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture. Since then, the workshop has received over 3,000 orders for the 1-litre Miyabi Tetsubin kettle, priced at approximately ¥30,000. The current waitlist extends beyond a year.
Photo credit:Jessica Kozuka
Kaito Kikuchi, the ninth-generation owner of Oitomi, attributes the increased popularity to Ohtani's endorsement. Nambu kettles have long been admired for their aesthetic appeal, durability, and potential health benefits. The lacquer coating on the exterior prevents rust, while the untreated interior softens water and infuses it with iron, which is believed to help prevent anaemia. The thick iron construction ensures excellent heat retention and longevity.
Ohtani's bump proved to be a veritable windfall for Oitomi:
A traditional handicraft from Iwate Prefecture, the home region of baseball star Shohei Ohtani, is experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to the "Ohtani effect." Nambu tekki, or Nambu ironware, is renowned for its distinctive nubbly kettles, which tea ceremony enthusiasts have cherished for centuries.
When Ohtani received a Nambu kettle in Dodgers blue as a gift and shared it on his Instagram Stories, it sparked significant interest. Online sleuths traced the kettle to Oitomi, a workshop in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture. Since then, the workshop has received over 3,000 orders for the 1-litre Miyabi Tetsubin kettle, priced at approximately ¥30,000. The current waitlist extends beyond a year.
Photo credit:Jessica Kozuka
Kaito Kikuchi, the ninth-generation owner of Oitomi, attributes the increased popularity to Ohtani's endorsement. Nambu kettles have long been admired for their aesthetic appeal, durability, and potential health benefits. The lacquer coating on the exterior prevents rust, while the untreated interior softens water and infuses it with iron, which is believed to help prevent anaemia. The thick iron construction ensures excellent heat retention and longevity.
After Shohei Ohtani bump, Iwate ironware maker sees brighter future
Thanks to the Dodgers superstar, the waitlist for Oitomi’s Miyabi Tetsubin kettle now stretches to more than a year.