Oshu Taro is now featured on Nambu ironware! Oizumi, founded in 1848, is producing skillets and iron kettles [Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture]

Oshu Taro, the official mascot character of Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, has been transformed into a piece of Nambu ironware.

The products were made by Oitomi , a Nambu ironware manufacturer founded in 1848 in Mizusawa Haneda-cho, the same city. Two types of products have been released: a skillet shaped like Oushūtarō's face and an iron kettle that recreates the image of him clinging to the kettle

We introduce playful works that combine the unique worldview of manga artist Yoshida Sensha , who hails from Oshu City , with the traditional Nambu ironware techniques passed down in the area

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An alien named "Oshu Taro" came to investigate Oshu City

Oshu Taro is the official mascot character of Oshu City, introduced in 2024. His concept is "an alien who came to investigate Oshu City," his favorite food is Hitomebore rice from Oshu City, and his catchphrase is "~bin."

In an effort to share the charms of Oshu City with more people, young city hall staff members brainstormed ideas, which were then used as the basis for the design by Yoshida Sensha

In addition to reporting the results of the survey in Oshu City on social media, a mascot costume was also produced in September 2026 and appears to be active in various locations

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The face is incorporated directly into the skillet! Even the "O" on the head has a special touch

The skillet is designed to resemble Oushuutaro's face. The rounded contours of his face, his ears, and even the "O" on his head are incorporated into the shape of the cast iron cookware

The dimensions are 18cm in diameter, 36cm in total length including the handle, and 4.5cm in depth

The inspiration for the creation came when, while looking at Oushuutaro's face, it gradually began to resemble a skillet... They proceeded with prototyping with the goal of creating a fun cast iron item that would make fans laugh

To balance the character's unique worldview and surrealism with practicality as a tool, the idea of ​​hanging the "O" on the top of the head onto a hook was born

According to the announcement on October 6, 2026, the skillet will be priced at 22,000 yen (including tax), and will be sold on a made-to-order basis. The start date for orders and specific ordering methods could not be confirmed from the official information we checked

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A cast iron kettle that looks like it jumped out of an illustration

Another piece is a three-dimensional iron kettle featuring an illustration of Oushūtarō riding on an iron kettle

An iron kettle rests on a trivet shaped like legs, and Oushūtarō is clinging to the kettle. Comparing it to the original illustration, you can see that his unique appearance has been reproduced using ironware

According to Oitomi, the dynamic illustration inspired his creativity, and he wanted to bring it to life. He said he had a hard time adjusting the shape to make it as close to the illustration as possible

Oushuutaro is attached with a magnet and can be removed. This mechanism utilizes the characteristics of iron as a material to express the character

The combined trivet and iron kettle measures 24cm in height, and 24cm in length and width. This iron kettle is not for sale, and the press release indicates that it will be on display at the Oizumi store and the Oshu Taro exhibition corner on the first floor of the Oshu City Hall

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A collaboration unique to Oshu City, brought to life by Oizumi, a company founded in 1848

Oitomi is a Nambu ironware manufacturer founded in 1848. In 2021, their iron kettle "Swallow Pot 0.6L" won the Good Design Award, demonstrating their continued commitment to craftsmanship that utilizes traditional techniques

This piece is filled with the ingenuity of craftsmen who use local characters to convey the joy of Nambu ironware. The ironware-making techniques that have been passed down for generations have brought to life the wondrous world of Oushūtarō

We're looking forward to future sales announcements for the skillet. For details and the latest information on the announced products, please check the official information from Oizumi and Oshu City

*The information regarding sales and exhibitions is based on the press release issued on October 6, 2026. As of October 16, 2026, the status of order acceptance and exhibition implementation has not been confirmed

• Source:Oshu City Hall, "Oizumi Co., Ltd. x Oshu City Official Mascot Character 'Oshutaro' Announce Collaboration Products with Nanbu Ironware!" (October 6, 2026)
• Image source: Oshu City Hall (material included in press release)

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