INNOVATE
CUTTING EDGE: HOW HIROSHIMA NEEDLES WENT GLOBAL
INNOVATE
CUTTING EDGE: HOW HIROSHIMA NEEDLES WENT GLOBAL
Words Alice Gordenker
The humble sewing needle, originally an essential item for samurai going to war, is now synonymous with the modern city of Hiroshima. Zoom-Zoom discovers more about this fascinating origin story.
When a samurai headed into battle, he would carry with him one item you might not expect: a sewing needle. While not as august or fearsome as the samurai’s famous sword, a needle was indispensable in emergencies and would be kept close at hand to repair a rip in clothing or close a wound. And originally, it was the samurai themselves who crafted the needles.
During Japan’s feudal period, the Hiroshima area, where Mazda is based, was ruled by the Asano samurai clan. The domain was a centre of traditional steel production. While modern steelmaking relies on iron ore, at that time in Japan the primary raw material was iron sand. Using an ancient yet technologically advanced method called tatara, iron sand collected from nearby mountains was transformed into high-quality steel, suitable for making tools such as files and saws, and even the finest swords.
Owing to their high quality, Hiroshima needles were traded across Japan and eventually exported around the globe.
Manufacturing a needle entirely by hand was complex and meticulous work, requiring 28 different steps. The clan quickly developed a reputation for quality, and Hiroshima needles were traded widely across Japan. Mechanisation began in the 19th century, after the fall of the feudal system and the introduction of Western technology, but the focus on excellence remained. Soon, Hiroshima needles were being exported around the world.
Hiroshima needle manufacturers are continually innovating and improving the process.
After the devastation of World War II, the Hiroshima needle industry recovered fairly quickly, in part because of strong demand for needles as people sought to replace lost household items and clothing. Efforts to rebuild also benefited from Hiroshima’s unusually good access to skilled labour.
The automobile industry in Hiroshima benefited directly from advanced Japanese steel manufacturing.
“Because of the long tradition of steelmaking in this area, as well as shipbuilding in nearby Kure, it was possible to recruit experienced machinists to custom-build the specialised machinery needed to make needles,” says Kazuyasu Harada, Executive Director of Tulip, whose grandfather established a needle factory in 1948 in Hiroshima City. Today, the company supplies Japanese schools with the needles for home economics classes, as well as professional needleworkers and hobbyists around the world.
“The needle is such a familiar item that people may mistakenly regard it as a simple tool.”
KAZUYASU HARADA
“The needle is such a familiar item that people may mistakenly regard it as a simple tool.”
KAZUYASU HARADA
“The needle is such a familiar item that people may mistakenly regard it as a simple tool,” says Harada. “But the manufacturing process is both complex and sophisticated, requiring many different technical processes including cutting, stamping, grinding and electroplating. Hiroshima manufacturers have worked continuously to improve each process, and to create innovative needles to serve varied needs.”
As when making a fine sword, the steel is quenched and tempered, so the needle will be strong and flexible yet resistant to bending and breaking. The eye is polished inside and out for easier threading, and the point undergoes a high-density abrasive polishing treatment to ensure sharpness.
These needles need to be strong and flexible, yet resistant to bends and breaks.
In Japan, even when a needle breaks or its tip becomes dull, it isn’t simply discarded. By long tradition, needles and pins that have outlived their usefulness are taken to temples or shrines. To ensure a “soft landing” on their way to retirement, the tiny tools are placed point-down into a smooth cake of tofu. Then, in a ritual called hari kuyō, they are thanked for their service. The custom began some 400 years ago and is still observed at certain temples and shrines around the country, usually on 8 February or 8 December.
“A quality needle is much more comfortable, allowing you to sew for hours without fatigue,” says Mutsuko Yawatagaki, a renowned professional quilter and needlework instructor. “You get better results, too. Good tools make for good work.”
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