Suruga-zumi charcoal made from paulownia (left)
Ho-zumi charcoal made from magnolia (right)
Charcoal Making
Making quality charcoal in accordance with unbroken traditions
in the lush mountains of Okayama Prefecture
Mokutan Works
(Preservation Society of Traditional Charcoal)
Designated in 2014
2-1-1 Yanagi-machi, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi,
Okayama Prefecture 700-0904
We look at the techniques for producing a range of different charcoals. Charcoal is used to forge Japanese swords, as well as in the smelting process for tamahagane, the steel which is used in the blades. It is also used for polishing lacquerware and metals. The type of wood used varies according to the uses of the charcoal. Special knowledge and experience are required for the different production techniques.
