Shohei Ohtani social media post pitches traditional Japanese ironware to world

Centuries-old craft gets upswing from baseball superstar's attention

Nambu Iron Top 2024-10

The Miyabi model of traditional kettle is displayed in northeastern Japan. Interest in the product surged after it featured in a social media post by baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. (Photo by Park Sang-oh)

PARK SANG-OH, Nikkei staff writer

MORIOKA, Japan -- A social media post by Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has thrown Japan's traditional Nambu ironware under the international spotlight, catching the attention of a whole new potential customer base for everything from finely crafted kettles to heavy-duty cooking pots.

The sporting sensation in May posted a picture of a blue, cast-iron kettle on Instagram, accompanied only by the words "Thank you." The move effectively pitched Nambu ironware -- which comes from Ohtani's home prefecture of Iwate in northeastern Japan -- to his legions of followers in that country, the U.S. and beyond.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.