This time, General Manager Yoichi Wada visited the factory in the Yokohama Metal Park and spoke with Kenji Yamada, the third generation president and son of Toyoaki Yamada, the second generation president.
Click here for details on Kamaasa's iron hammered frying pans
- TOPICS
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- TOPICS 01 The charm of a hammered iron frying pan: the more you use it, the easier it becomes to cook with
- TOPICS 02 Hammer it to make a strong, long-lasting frying pan
- TOPICS 03 Yamada Kogyosho's masterpieces are now easier to use for the general public
- TOPICS 04 The fun and excitement of working together to create products
Maker Yamada Industrial Co., Ltd.
- The father of current president Toyoaki Yamada started making pots by hammering scrap drums shortly after the war, and in 1957 established Yamada Kogyosho in Yokohama. The woks made using the forging method won overwhelming support in Yokohama's Chinatown and gradually spread nationwide. Currently, under the direction of Kenji Yamada, the third generation owner, the company manufactures original woks and frying pans, as well as OEM production.
TOPICS 01 The charm of a hammered iron frying pan: the more you use it, the easier it becomes to cook with
Iron frying pans have excellent thermal conductivity, heat storage, and heat retention, making them excellent for a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to grilled foods. Among them, the durable and practical hammered iron frying pans made by Yamada Kogyosho have been popular with professional chefs for many years. Wanting to make this frying pan easier for the general public to use, the owner Kumazawa consulted with Yamada Toyoaki and Noriharu, father and son, of Yamada Kogyosho. The result was the "Kamaasa's hammered iron frying pan."
One of Kamaasa Shoten's signature products is the Kamaasa iron hammered frying pan.
Kamaasa Shoten's relationship with Yamada Kogyosho's frying pans dates back about 20 years. We had been handling woks, one of Yamada Kogyosho's main products, for a long time, but then frying pans were added to the lineup. In 2012, we asked them to manufacture our own original frying pans, based on the woks, with modified specifications.
The iron plate is being cut into a circle.
The factory is packed with items waiting for the next process, but it is kept neatly organized so that the craftsmen can move around efficiently.
This time, we visited the Yamada Kogyosho factory. The store owner, Kumazawa, and other members of Kamaasa Shoten, including Wada, have visited this factory many times. This time, we were guided by Kenji.
For Wada, Kenji (right) is a reliable person to talk to. "I have an overwhelming sense of trust that Yamada can do it," he says.
TOPICS 02 Hammering to make a strong, long-lasting frying pan
Stepping inside the factory, you'll be surprised by the loud sound of metal being hammered. Looking into the high-ceilinged factory space, you'll see well-worn hammer forging machines and presses. The frying pans and woks made here are all cut into the appropriate shapes from iron plates, which are then hammered into three-dimensional shapes. "Hammering" refers to the process of hammering with a hammer. Kamaasa's "hammered iron frying pans" use slightly thicker iron plates of 2.3 mm, and are transformed into the shape of a frying pan by stacking four sheets and hammering them for around 15 minutes.
The key to the manufacturing process of hammered iron frying pans is the hammering machine. Hammering the iron while it is still cold is Yamada Kogyosho's forte.
The process of shaping it into a frying pan shape.
The process of making frying pans involves not only this hammering, but also a wide range of other tasks, such as bending the handle, which is also made by cutting the iron plate, engraving the handle, chamfering, removing burrs (protrusions) created during the process, welding the handle, cleaning, etc. Each task is done by a separate division of labor.
The handle is being welded. Whereas the Yamada Kogyosho original is secured with screws, the Kamaasa Iron Hammered Frying Pan is secured with welding.
Finally, it is washed with an organic solvent.
TOPICS 03 Yamada Kogyosho's masterpieces are now easier to use for the general public
Wada
We knew how great Yamada's frying pans were even when we were still only selling woks. They were also sold at other stores in Kappabashi. After that, we started selling frying pans as well, and one popular store owner was using one of Yamada's frying pans that he had bought at our store, so it was featured in a magazine. From then on, it became really popular. So Kumazawa asked Yamada to make an original product that reflected the requests we had received from various customers.
The handle of the frying pan is engraved with both the Yamada Kogyosho logo, including the character "Uchidashi," and the Kamaasa Shoten logo.
Left: Removing burrs (note: iron protrusions or thorns that are unintentionally created during processing).
Mr. Yamada
That's right. I don't remember exactly when it was, though (laughs). The base was my hammered iron frying pan.
Wada
That's right. For Yamada's frying pans, the U-shaped curved handle was made a little flatter to make it easier for anyone to hold, the angle of the handle was made gentler and it was set a little lower so that the lid could be closed, and the adhesive part of the flat handle was changed from a screw to a welded joint to make it easier to wash.
"Thanks to you, we have a steady stream of orders, so the factory is always short-staffed," says Kenji. "Many of our employees have strong personalities, but there are also people who notice things that others don't and who are good at observing their surroundings, so I think it's a well-balanced workplace."
Mr. Yamada
That's right. At first, the surface was coated with anti-rust varnish, so it was necessary to bake it empty. That was not done in the Kamaasa Shoten version. Even so, I was surprised when I received an order for 100 pieces of 20cm pieces from the beginning.
Wada
Hmm? I think it was less at first and gradually increased (laughs). At the time, we had a wide range of sizes, from 18cm to 32cm. Later, we narrowed it down to 20cm and 26cm. We ask for 100 pieces per month, so we've sold well over 10,000 pieces so far.
Mr. Yamada
Thanks to Kamaasa, iron frying pans have now become popular among the general public, whereas in the past only professionals used them.
Wada
You can see this clearly when you look at mass retailers. When a certain global brand released an iron frying pan around 2020, I felt that it had become commonplace. Until then, we had to explain things like "iron rusts," but now more people are saying, "I understand." Yamada's original wok is also selling well.
Yamada Kogyo's original hammered wok. This is the version with a wooden handle. Kamaasa Shoten sells the version without the handle.
Mr. Yamada
In the past, most woks were for commercial use, but now there are more general customers. There have been changes in commercial use as well, with the number of double-handled pots decreasing. In the past, many restaurants used 48cm or 51cm double-handled pots for boiling noodles, but now they have been replaced by noodle boilers. I think many izakayas use one-handled woks.
TOPICS 04 The fun and excitement of working together to create products
Wada
By the way, when did you start working in this field, Kenji?
Mr. Yamada
I guess it's been about 28 years. I left in between, but at one point I decided that I had to continue here. It's very rewarding. Mr. Kamaasa came to me for advice on various things, and I learned the fun and excitement of creating products together. I'm glad to hear the voices of end users.
"I would like to try making square objects with a hammering technique in the future," he said. Kenji's challenge continues.
Wada
When I consult with Yamada, he always gives me a proper response. He clearly says that he can't do something, but he also gives me proper suggestions like, "You can do it if you do it like this." I think he really loves making things. It was Kenji's suggestion that we have the pattern material cut by a laser processing company.
Mr. Yamada
With normal shearing, it takes a lot of time to remove burrs from the surface, so it takes a long time to finish one piece. By outsourcing, we were able to shorten the delivery time.
"Iron hammered frying pans are products with individual differences. We also accept repairs," says Kenji. He says that his work is "a place where I can grow."
Wada
One of the things we developed together with Yamada is a hammered iron plate for "charcoal-grilled local chicken," a staple dish at Tsukada Farm. It is an 18cm diameter iron plate with a beautiful hammered finish on a 6mm thick plate, and is capable of maintaining a temperature of around 95℃ even after five minutes.
Mr. Yamada
We've made 4.5mm thick ones in the past, but this is the first time we've made 6mm thick ones. I thought the machine might break while we were making them! (laughs). We made 2,400 pieces, but we wouldn't have done it if Kamaasa hadn't approached us. We can make things, but we can't sell them. We're very grateful to Kamaasa. We sometimes get calls from Kamaasa fans.
Wada
Yamada-san could be a little more arrogant, but he's not like that at all and accepts even unreasonable requests. Fundamentally, Kamaasa has also gained the support of many customers by doing such work, so in that sense, I think they are similar.
Mr. Yamada
It's a give-and-take situation (laughs).
Wada
That's right. Thank you for your continued support!
With second-generation president, Yamada Toyoaki.
PRODUCTS Yamada Industrial Products
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Kamaasa's hammered iron frying pan
26cm
Kamaasa's hammered iron frying pan20cm
1.6mm thickness 24cm~
Yamada Industrial Co., Ltd. IH compatible hammered wok1.6mm thickness 24cm~
