Get hands-on and learn about the world of metalworking

 

"Shouma Iron Workshop" is located in Arai-cho, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the west shore of Lake Hamana. It is located along the newly constructed Battery Road, commonly known as the Okurado Road on the Hamana Bypass.ICIt is also located very close to the

 

Small factories and workshops are scattered among the houses and fields, creating a typical Kosai City landscape where "production sites" exist right next to everyday life.

 

 

Shouma Iron Workshop is based on Shouma Welding, which specializes in non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. We specialize in TIG welding, which requires advanced skills, and were established as a place to bring that technology into everyday life.

 

 

In addition to producing custom-made furniture, interior items, and miscellaneous goods that combine the warmth of iron and wood, the workshop also offers welding experience workshops and rental welding space, based on the concept of "everyone's welding shop."

 

 

Welding, a specialized field, is brought closer to people. This desire is naturally conveyed through the atmosphere of the workshop.

 

 

What you can experience here is the somewhat special technique of welding. Although it is a process that involves the use of heat, a full set of protective gear is provided, and the representative, Mr. Sasase, and staff are always nearby to supervise, so even beginners can participate safely.

 

An extraordinary experience that begins with a factory tour

 

The experience begins with a tour of the factory. You'll get a close-up look at the welding process, hear the sound and smell of metal, and see the neatly lined up tools and materials, building your excitement for the experience ahead.

 

The space of the factory, which is not usually accessible, is already a special experience.

 

 

Wood and iron, shapes born from handwork

 

We will be making a small iron shelf. First, we will apply beeswax to the wooden top to give it a soft texture.

 

 

As I apply wax to the wood and work with my hands, I gradually begin to feel more at ease.

 

 

While waiting for it to dry, it's time to prepare for welding. Put on your welding mask and step into the world of metal processing.

 

A quiet spark creates a shape

 

The materials provided are 6mm round rods. Four rods are cut to the correct dimensions and welded together to create two frames.

 

 

TIG welding is characterized by the fact that metals are joined together quietly while watching the light of the arc. There are no intense sparks, and you can focus on the work, so it is less intimidating even for beginners.

 

 

The time spent welding each piece with careful support is a luxurious moment in which you can immerse yourself in the act of "making" itself.

 

 

Sasase believes that welding is not something that only special people should have. He says that because welding is a technique that people don't often have the opportunity to come into contact with in their daily lives, he wants people to feel as comfortable and familiar with it as possible.

 

 

With this in mind, this workshop is not only popular with families,DIYMany men who enjoy light welding as a hobby also visit the shop. The feeling of metal joining and the time spent concentrating on the movements of the tools give you the feeling of experiencing the work of a craftsman.

 

 

We also have elementary and junior high school students who have come to the workshop for work experience, and students who are unsure about their future career paths. Seeing the sparks and joining metal with their own hands has given them the opportunity to imagine manufacturing as a future they can relate to.

 

Finishing paint and the moment of completion

 

Once the welding is complete, the frame is spray painted and left to dry. This is the moment when the matte texture of the iron changes dramatically.

 

 

Finally, by combining the completed frame with the wooden top, you can create a one-of-a-kind iron shelf. You will feel a quiet sense of accomplishment as you realize that you have joined the metal with your own hands and created a shape.

 

 

Experiences come alive in everyday life

 

The finished shelf is a size that can be easily used in your daily life, such as in the entrance, kitchen, around your desk, etc. Every time you use it, you are reminded of the light seen through the welding surface, the feel of the metal, and the time spent in the workshop.

 

"Welding is something only special people can do," says Shouma, a workshop that gently dispels this misconception and teaches the joy of craftsmanship. The quiet time spent facing fire and metal is sure to be a memorable experience that allows you to step away from your everyday life and test the strength of your own hands.

 

 

What you can experience in this tour

 

The experience lasts approximately 120 minutes. After receiving an explanation in the office, you will begin with a tour of the workshop. You will get a close look at the actual work environment and tools, and get a feel for the manufacturing process.

 

Afterwards, you will apply beeswax to the wood and experience how the material changes its appearance. Next, you will try your hand at making an iron frame using TIG welding.

 

You can experience the entire process of completing a piece, including the finishing touches of painting and assembly.

 

The workshop uses TIG welding, which produces fewer sparks, so even beginners and children can participate with peace of mind. With careful support from Mr. Sasase, participants will try their hand at full-scale welding and complete an iron shelf.

 

Guide introduction

 

Yusuke Sasase, Representative of Shoma Welding

Originally from Arai-cho, Kosai City, Shouma was involved in welding, which requires precision, and opened his own iron workshop, Shouma, with the desire to make welding more accessible to everyone. The workshop offers experiences using TIG welding, which produces fewer sparks, and a welding rental space that can be freely used by the general public and DIY enthusiasts, creating an environment where beginners and families can safely experience craftsmanship.