INDEX
1. Things which Only a Small Factory Could Achieve.
2. And Here Comes the Ambition.
3. Endress Trials.
2.And Here Comes the Ambition.
Back in the spring of 2016.
TENT, the creative design unit in Nakameguro, Tokyo, had been looking for a factory which can produce their products for a while.
Fujita Metal MFG was one of the factories TENT came across, and they decided to collaborate to produce the frying pan “JIU” at later time.
SEIICHIRO @ FUJITA We undertake consign productions from various companies. At the same time, we also produce our own products called “The Story of Frying Pan”.
“The Story of Frying Pan” allows you to freely choose the combination of iron frying pans and handles. All products are made in Japan, handmade by Japanese craftworkers and has long-life.
Thankfully, those characteristics helps our frying pans to be very popular and we were continuously receiving inquiries from department stores to TV shopping.
SEIICHIRO @ FUJITA But I have been concerning that we need to take one more step forward from our current situation. But we didn’t have any clear vision of out next step. At such a time, I had an opportunity to meet up with Ms. Kayoko Takeuchi, the producer of DRAW A LINE, and the president of HEIAN SHINDO KOGYO.
As soon as I mentioned that I am recently making a trial product for TENT, she aggressively recommended me to discuss with TENT about producing new product.
AOKI @ TENT On our very first meeting, we were considering about producing tea pots and deep pans but after all, we all said and agreed that if we are producing new product, it should be a new frying pan.
HARUTA @ TENT I thought that “creating new innovative iron frying pan” sounds really exciting but come to think of it, it might not be so easy.
AOKI @ TENT Frying pans are a kitchen tools which have been used from ages ago, so I didn’t feel any necessity of changing its shape. Having said that, only changing coatings and colors doesn’t sound quite right.
We thought there is no point in trying to come up with new shape or ideas by randomly brainstorm. So, we have decided to find a clear goal first.
When AOKI was looking at various frying pans, he suddenly realized something.
AOKI @ TENT Needless to say, the purpose of using frying pan is to cook meals. And the main target is a housewife/househusband or a chef. We often see or hear sales copies such as, “The best cooking tool especially made for chefs” or “The best partner for housewife/househusband”.
I have noticed that most of frying pans seems to be produced for the purpose of someone to cook meal for others.
“The person who cooks”, “The person who eats”, “The place you cook”, “The place you eat”
Those factors are all assumed to be separated.
AOKI @ TENT DIY seems to be recent trend. I myself feel that “making things are so COOL!”
For instance, if it is simple small furniture for my house or simple toys for my kids, I would like to make it myself. I prefer to grind coffee beans to make coffee instead of buying it from shops. Likewise, cooking meals is also the same.
HARUTA @ TENT I must say historical background is also related to this trend. Nowadays, you can search all the information on the web. Variety of items, materials, and tools are available both online and offline, logistics has improved, and technologies also has significantly improved. we even have a 3D Printer now! We can easily share your “completed product” with friend by using SNS.
AOKI @ TENT In fact, I think pretty much everyone has an experience of cooking meals only for yourself. This is not because it is so cool to do so, but it occasionally happens to most people in daily life.
In my case, my wife and kids sometimes go back to their hometown. I cook fried rice or fried noodles for myself and eat directly from the frying pan without dishing up on a plate.
HARUTA @ TENT Oh, I did the same when I was a student actually. I cooked noodle and ate directly from the pan. I felt little sad, but on the other hand, it was so convenient as I don’t have to do a lot of dishwashing.
AOKI @ TENT Yeah, I agree. You only strive for efficiency and as a result, you don’t really want to be seen by other people while you are having dinner.
But striving for efficiency is something good and cool. I think it is such a shame you actually have to feel little sad and try to avoid being seen by other people.
AOKI @ TENT You cook meals for yourself. You can strive for efficiency and you can feel good and cool about it. We thought it is going to be so exciting if we can produce such kind of new and innovative frying pan.
This is how TENT and FUJITA METAL MFG’s clear ambition was born.
On the next story, we will be talking about many twists and turns we have experienced until we actually reached to mass production of the iron frying pan “JIU”.
FRYING PAN JIU & HANDLE SET
Size S / Beech Wood
¥ 6,600-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 21.5 x 3.6cm / 8.5 x 1.4inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 16 x 3 x 12cm / 6.3 x 1.2 x 4.7inch
JIU Weight: 560g / 1.23lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & HANDLE SET
Size S / Walnut Wood
¥ 7,700-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 21.5 x 3.6cm / 8.5 x 1.4inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 16 x 3 x 12cm / 6.3 x 1.2 x 4.7inch
JIU Weight: 560g / 1.23lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & HANDLE SET
Size M / Beech Wood
¥ 7,700-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 25.5 x 4.2cm / 10 x 1.7inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 20 x 3.6 x 14.5cm / 7.9 x 1.4 x 5.7inch
JIU Weight: 780g / 1.7lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & HANDLE SET
Size M / Beech Wood
¥ 8,800-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 25.5 x 4.2cm / 10 x 1.7inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 20 x 3.6 x 14.5cm / 7.9 x 1.4 x 5.7inch
JIU Weight: 780g / 1.7lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & HANDLE SET
Size L / Beech Wood
¥ 8,800-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 30 x 4.5cm / 11.8 x 1.8inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 24 x 4 x 18cm / 9.4 x 1.6 x 7.1inch
JIU Weight: 1040g / 2.29lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & HANDLE SET
Size L / Walnut Wood
¥ 9,900-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 30 x 4.5cm / 11.8 x 1.8inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 24 x 4 x 18cm / 9.4 x 1.6 x 7.1inch
JIU Weight: 1040g / 2.29lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & Handle Set,
M POT / Beech Wood
¥ 8,800-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 26 x 7cm / 10.2 x 2.8inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 20 x 8 x 13cm / 7.9 x 3.1 x 5.1inch
JIU Weight: 875g / 1.93lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
FRYING PAN JIU & Handle Set,
M POT / Walnut Wood
¥ 9,900-
Product Size and Weight (Approximate Size in cm / inch /g / lbs)
JIU Outer Size (O.D x H): 26 x 7cm / 10.2 x 2.8inch
JIU: Inner Size (I.D x D x B.D) 20 x 8 x 13cm / 7.9 x 3.1 x 5.1inch
JIU Weight: 875g / 1.93lbs
HANDLE Size (L x H): 19 x 3.5cm / 7.5 x 1.4inch
HANDLE Weight: 195g / 0.43lbs (subjected to change)
