On December 13, the consulting company "Matrix" (Waseda) repaired the broken rice cake making machine at Mikasaya Rice Cake Store (Dotemachi, Hirosaki City, TEL 0172-32-7590 ).

Mikasaya Mochi is a long-established store that has been in business for over 80 years and is known for its signature product, Asaka Mochi. The cause of the failure of the rice cake making machine is the part called "rubber roller" of the "manual falling rice cake making machine" that has been used for about 20 years. It is a part for lifting the pestle, and it is said that the rubber part was worn and the force was not transmitted well, so the force to poke the pestle was weakened.

According to Mr. Ryuji Yamano, the owner of the Mikasaya rice cake shop, "'Rubber roller' is a consumable item, and it was last replaced about 3 years ago. There was. "

The mortar of the mochi-making machine is fixed to the floor, and the pestle falls vertically to evenly poke the mochi. "Most of the latest rice cake making machines are fully automatic, and the mortar is electric, so people can't touch it. I don't think it's possible to express Mikasaya's rice cakes with a craftsman's sense," says Mr. Yamano. "It was Teruken Takamatsu who consulted with me if I could do something about it," he said.

"Matrix" run by Mr. Takamatsu manufactures and sells medical consulting equipment. Corona Scratch has developed equipment to prevent splashes and remove viruses attached to the soles of shoes. There are more opportunities to make equipment that solves new problems.

Mr. Takamatsu says, "I knew a local company that could line (wrap) rubber, so I was able to make the same thing immediately." "In recent years, it has become difficult to know that parts can be made in Japan, such as in town factories, because of the efforts to keep prices down, such as outsourcing parts overseas."

On the same day, the "rubber roller" was replaced and the rice cake making machine started operating normally. Mr. Yamano smiles, "I came back to take over the mochi shop 20 years ago, and since I started helping, I've been working with this mochi-making machine. I want to continue using it."

Mr. Takamatsu said, "I took on the idea of preserving the traditional taste of Hirosaki. There is still technology in Japan that can fix any machine. I would like to continue to support new consultations."