JUTARO's Shizuoka Casting
Each one carefully,
It is finished by hand.
"Jutaro" has been in business in Shizuoka for over 130 years.
It was born from a long-established foundry.
Cast iron, which is hard to break and becomes more comfortable with use, has supported people's lives for a long time.
Castings have the strength and warmth of a handmade product.
We will continue to be a part of your daily life.
What Is Shizuoka Casting?
In Shizuoka, a thriving casting industry existed during the Edo period, under the reign of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Furthermore, during the Ogosho period, after Tokugawa Ieyasu's retirement, coinage such as "Suruga koban" was minted in the castle town of Suruga as a symbol of power.
"Shizuoka Castings" refers to the castings that inherited this casting tradition of Shizuoka.
Unfortunately, after the Edo Shogunate fell, many casters lost their jobs.
Later, in the Meiji era, Shigeutaro Kurita I founded "Kurita Sangyo" in 1890 (Meiji 23), and for over 130 years since then, we have built a history in casting.
And so, we arrive at the present day.
In this historic land of Shizuoka, known as a "town of casting," we must not let the casting culture die out.
With this in mind, we, "Kurita Sangyo (KURITA)," are dedicated to daily casting production.
We hope that one day, "Shizuoka Castings" will be recognized as a specialty product of Shizuoka...
Why We Named Him Jutaro
Kurita Industries (KURITA) was founded in 1890.
Its founder, Jutaro Kurita,
lost his parents at a young age,
and at seven, went to work as an apprentice at a foundry in Tokyo.
Despite the harsh environment, he acquired skills,
and at 18, he returned to his hometown of Shizuoka,
where he founded "Kurita Foundry" himself.
After that, he not only dedicated himself to casting,
but also worked hard to establish the Foundry Association.
He spread the skills he had cultivated to the community,
and greatly contributed to the development of Shizuoka's casting industry.
Even now, more than 130 years after its founding,
we continue to uphold the philosophy of our founder, Jutaro Kurita,
which is to "contribute to the community and people's lives through casting."
The brand name "Jutaro" comes from the name of this founder.
Along with the spirit of craftsmanship that has been passed down for over 130 years,
we will continue to deliver the charm of Shizuoka's castings.
Made by Hand, One at a Time
Every Jutaro piece is cast and finished by hand, one at a time. Casting — *chūzō* — starts with a mold. We pour the melted tin in, let it cool until it sets, and then polish it by hand until it's ready.
We stick to handwork because some things really do live in the hands of the artisan, not in a machine. The small natural ripples on the surface, the soft line of a rim shaped by hand — these are the details a machine can't quite reach, and they're part of what makes a handmade piece feel different to hold.
Tin: A Metal People Have Used for a Thousand Years
Tin — *suzu* in Japanese — has been part of daily life for more than a thousand years. It has a soft silver-white sheen, and because the metal itself is soft, people around the world have shaped it into all kinds of things.
In Japan, tin came into use around the Edo period. People kept it inside their water jars, because tin helps keep water from going bad. It doesn't rust easily, it's non-toxic, and it's been used for tableware and sake cups ever since.
A few things make tin a little special as a vessel. Its subtle ion effect softens the flavor of tea or sake poured into it. It conducts heat quickly, so a cold drink chills the whole cup almost the moment you pour it. Some people even keep cut flowers in a tin vase — the water stays fresher for longer.
