Yamagata Cast Ironware, the traditional craft of Yamagata Prefecture known for its fine, delicate iron wares has a history dating back over 900 years. The fact that many cha-gama, the original iron kettle used for Japanese Tea ceremony, are produced in Yamagata, is a testament to their outstanding quality. In the middle of the Heian period (eighth - twelfth century), Minamoto Yoriyoshi fought a number of battles in Yamagata area to quell various uprisings. The metal casters, who accompanied him, discovered the high quality sand and earth which were ideal for casting iron. Some of those casters settled there and became the founders of Yamagata Metal Casting.

Hisanori Masuda : Caster and Designer
Born in 1949 in Shizuoka Prefecture. After graduating from Musashino Art University, he worked as an assistant professor for 5 years. Later he moved to Yamagata City and worked for Kikuchi Hojudo for over 20 years during which time he had launched the “WAZUQU” brand with more than 600 items. In 1997, he established his own studio, "Chushin-Kobo." He is a member of the Japan Craft Design Association and teaches at Tohoku University of Art and Design. His designs are full of originality and mesh well with contemporary life yet are modern enough to be held in collection at the Museum of Modern Art of New York. He has been quoted as saying “Traditional craft design is never conservative but always innovative. But only pursuing the beauty is good for nothing. After grasping the needs of the global market, I try to develop designs well-accepted all over the world. It is so important for artisans and users to make a big circle to retain and pass the tradition down from generation to generation.“