This time, General Manager Yoichi Wada visited the factory in Yokohama Metal Industrial Park and spoke with Kenji Yamada, the son of the second president, Toyoaki Yamada, who is now the third generation.
For more details about KAMA-ASA's Hammered Carbon Steel Frying Pan, click here
- TOPICS
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- TOPICS 01The charm of the hammered carbon steel frying pan, which becomes easier to cook with the more you use it
- TOPICS 02A frying pan that is hammered to be strong and long-lasting
- TOPICS 03An arrangement of Yamada Kogyosho's masterpiece that is easy for the general public to use
- TOPICS 04The joy and fun of creating products together through mutual improvement
The MakerYamada Kogyo
- The current president, Toyoaki Yamada (right in the photo), started making pots by hammering scrap drum cans shortly after the war, and established Yamada Kogyosho in Yokohama City in 1957. The Chinese woks made using the hammered method (forging) received overwhelming support in Yokohama's Chinatown and gradually gained national recognition. Currently, under the leadership of the third generation, Kenji Yamada (left), they manufacture original Chinese woks and frying pans, as well as OEM production.
TOPICS 01The charm of the hammered carbon steel frying pan, which becomes easier to cook with the more you use it
The iron frying pan, known for its excellent heat conductivity, heat retention, and insulation, is a versatile tool that excels in various dishes from stir-fries to grilled foods. Among them, the durable and practical hammered carbon steel frying pan made by Yamada Kogyosho has been supported by professional chefs for many years. The shop owner, Kumazawa, wanted to make this frying pan more accessible to the general public, so he consulted with the Yamada family, and the result was the "KAMA-ASA's Hammered Carbon Steel Frying Pan."
One of KAMA-ASA's flagship products, the "KAMA-ASA's Hammered Carbon Steel Frying Pan."
KAMA-ASA's relationship with Yamada Kogyosho's frying pans dates back about 20 years. Originally, we had long handled the Chinese woks, one of Yamada Kogyosho's main products, but later, frying pans also joined the lineup. In 2012, we requested the production of KAMA-ASA's original frying pan, which was a modified version based on this.
Cutting the iron plate into a round shape.
The factory is filled with items waiting for the next process, but it is well organized to allow craftsmen to move without waste.
This time, we visited the factory of Yamada Kogyo. The store owner, Kumazawa, along with Wada and other members of KAMA-ASA, have visited this factory multiple times. Kenji Yamada guided us during this visit.
For Wada, Kenji (right) is a reliable consulting partner. "The trust that Yamada can do it is overwhelming," he says.
TOPICS 02Hammered and hammered, creating a strong and durable frying pan
As soon as you step into the factory, you are surprised by the loud sound of metal being hammered. Looking up at the high-ceilinged factory space, you see seasoned hammer forging machines and presses. The frying pans and Chinese woks made here are created by cutting the iron plates into their respective shapes and hammering them into three-dimensional forms. "Hammering" refers to this process of striking with a hammer. The "KAMA-ASA's Hammered Carbon Steel Frying Pan," made from slightly thicker 2.3mm iron plates, is transformed into the shape of a frying pan by being hammered for about 15 minutes with four plates stacked together.
The key to the manufacturing process of the hammered carbon steel frying pan, the hammering machine. Hammering the iron while it is cold is the hallmark of Yamada Kogyosho.
The process of shaping it into a frying pan-like form.
The manufacturing process of frying pans involves not only this forging but also various tasks such as bending the handle made from cut iron plates, stamping the handle, chamfering, removing burrs (protrusions) generated during work, welding the handle, and cleaning... Each task is performed through division of labor.
Welding the handle. In Yamada Kogyosho's original design, the handle is secured with screws, while in the "KAMA-ASA's Hammered Carbon Steel Frying Pan," it is welded.
Finally, it is cleaned with organic solvents.
TOPICS 03Arranging Yamada Kogyo's masterpiece to be user-friendly for the general public
Wada
I have known about the excellence of Yamada's frying pans since we were only handling Chinese woks. They were sold in other stores in Kappabashi as well. Later, when we started handling frying pans, a popular restaurant owner who used a Yamada frying pan bought from us was featured in a magazine. That was when it gained a lot of popularity. So, we thought it would be great to create our original version reflecting various requests from customers, and Kumazawa asked Yamada.
The handle of the frying pan is stamped with both the Yamada Kogyo logo with the word "forging" and the KAMA-ASA logo.
Left: The process of removing burrs (note: iron protrusions or spikes that can unintentionally occur during processing).
Yamada
That's right. I don't remember exactly when it was, though (laughs). The base is our iron forged frying pan.
Wada
Yes. We made the handle, which was originally U-shaped, a bit flatter for easier handling for everyone, and adjusted the angle of the handle to make it lower so that the lid can close. We also changed the attachment of the flat handle from screws to welded for easier cleaning.
"Thanks to you, orders keep coming in, so the factory is always short-staffed," says Kenji. "There are many strong personalities, but there are also people who notice things that others don't and can see the surroundings well, so it seems to be a well-balanced workplace," he adds.
Yamada
That's right. Initially, there was a rust-proof varnish on the surface, so it needed to be preheated. We stopped that for the KAMA-ASA version. By the way, I was surprised when we ordered 100 pieces of the 20cm size from the start.
Wada
Huh? I felt like we started with fewer and gradually increased (laughs). At that time, there was a wide range of sizes from 18cm to 32cm. Later, we narrowed it down to 20cm and 26cm. We order 100 pieces every month, so we have easily sold over 10,000 pieces by now.
Yamada
Thanks to KAMA-ASA, iron frying pans, which were once only used by professionals, have now become popular among the general public.
Wada
You can see that 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 that "iron rusts," but now more people understand that. Yamada's original Chinese woks are also selling well.
Yamada Kogyo's original forged Chinese wok. This version comes with a wooden handle. KAMA-ASA handles the version without a wooden handle.
Yamada
Chinese woks were mostly for commercial use in the past, but now there are more general customers. There have also been changes in commercial use, with the number of double-handled pots decreasing. In the past, many restaurants used double-handled pots of 48cm or 51cm for boiling noodles, but now they have been replaced by noodle boiling machines. In izakayas, many places use single-handled Chinese woks.
TOPICS 04The joy and fun of creating products together through mutual improvement
Wada
By the way, Kenji, when did you start this job?
Yamada
I think it was about 28 years ago. I took breaks along the way, but at some point, I decided that I had to stick with it. There is a lot of fulfillment in it. I learned the joy and fun of creating products together as Kumazawa consulted with me on various things. I can also convey the voices of end users, which is rewarding.
He also mentioned, "In the future, I want to try forging square items." Kenji's challenges continue.
Wada
When I consult with Yamada, he responds properly. He clearly says what he can't do, but he also suggests what he can do if it's like this. I think he really loves making things. The idea of having the handle material cut by a laser processing company also came from Kenji's suggestion.
Yamada
With regular shearing processing, it takes time to finish one because of the need to remove burrs. By outsourcing, the delivery time has shortened.
"Iron forged frying pans have individual differences. We also accept repairs," says Kenji. He describes work as "a place where I can grow myself."
Wada
One of the products developed together with Yamada is a forged iron plate for "Jidori Charcoal Grilled Chicken," a staple dish at Tsukada Farm. It is an 18cm diameter iron plate with a thickness of 6mm, beautifully hammered, capable of maintaining a temperature of about 95°C even after 5 minutes.
Yamada
We had done 4.5mm thick ones before, but this is the first time for 6mm thick. I thought the machine might break while we were making it! (laughs). We made 2400 pieces, but I wouldn't have taken on this project if it hadn't come from KAMA-ASA. We can make things, but we can't sell them. I'm just grateful to KAMA-ASA. Sometimes, we get phone calls from KAMA-ASA fans.
Wada
Yamada could be a bit more arrogant, but he is not at all, and he accepts unreasonable requests. Fundamentally, KAMA-ASA has gained a lot of support from customers by accumulating such work, so in that sense, they are similar.
Yamada
It's a mutually beneficial relationship (laughs).
Wada
That's right. I look forward to continuing our relationship in the future!
With the second president, Toyoaki Yamada.
PRODUCTS Products from Yamada Kogyo
Father of two, he enjoys cooking for his family using KAMA-ASA tools on his days off. His hobbies include weight training, martial arts (MMA), and sauna.
Written and edited by: Yamashita Murasaki, Photography: KAMA-ASA
