We were fortunate for the opportunity to visit Iwachu Ironworks, located in northern Japan's Morioka City, the historical center of the craft of nambu-tekki (cast iron). Finished with a special lacquer known as urushi, this trivet stood out for its elegant simplicity—a hallmark of Japanese design. Each piece is cast by hand by skilled craftsmen who spend years refining their technique. The molds can only be used for a limited period of time before they break down and must be created again—by hand of course. Too attractive to hide away in the cupboard, it looks great on the counter or tabletop when not in use.