But the ratio of expansion is different between these materials. Occasionally some artists like to paint urushi inside the kettle in order to protect the iron from rusting. No. The sharpness of arare depends on the iron casters craftsmanship, as well as how many times the same mold is reused. Benefits that iron gives us; Help on focusing Decrease irritability Give Stamina. Get latest info and exclusive promotions. Japanese Iwachu Cast Iron Teapots FREE SHIPPING for US orders $100 & up! The tea contains natural antioxidants that will reduce the rust to give the interior a darker color. As tetsukyusu are well-known in the Western market, we thought it would be useful to share some tips to take care of your Japanese teapot. Tetsubin Gen. . Therefore it is necessary to start heating at very low output if induction heater is used. To find out about the other tools of a Japanese tea ceremony, take a look at these 19 Essential Japanese Tea Ceremony Utensils. As mentioned earlier, this area is very rich in iron ware and other necessary materials for iron casting such as clay, urushi, forest and sand. The Japanese cast iron teapot is an amazing little teapot with ancient roots dating back to the 1600's! 2) After boiling the tetsubin for a few times, if the interior odor of tetsubin still remained, place, 3)Each time right after finish using the tetsubin, boil the remaining water and pour out the excess water from the tetsubin, and. Please note that the induction heater can not be used for the small kettle which the diameter of bottom area is less than 80mm. You can buy one from your local store, but the quality may not be on par with a Tetsubin that was manufactured in China or Japan.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'topictea_com-portrait-1','ezslot_30',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-topictea_com-portrait-1-0'); Cast iron teapots are available in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Usually, different brands of Tetsubin have different effects on the taste of the water chosen. When the molds are ready, the mold No 1) to No 4) is assembled before proceeding for casting. You can quickly tell whether a teapot is durable based on where it was made. In this article, we will introduce you about this popular Japanese Handcraft. When we use the word Tetsubin, in Japanese, we are referring to a kettle that is used only to boil water. For durability reasons, however, you should remove tarnishing when it accumulates as it weakens the cast iron. As time went by, they developed very strong cast iron industry. Since 1957, every year in Japan, Japan Institute of Design Promotion launched awards namely Good Design Award for items that are recognize for their excellent design. This will make serving more powerful. Sponsored. Cast iron teapots feature a unique design where heat is evenly distributed throughout the pot. Tetsubin cast iron kettle is a folk craft or in other word a national craft of Japan that hold a lot of purposes in the Japanese way of life. Always consider the country of origin and how a teapot was made. If done correctly, they become heirlooms, to be passed to the next generations. So eventually the suitable combination is subjective to the quality of water you use. This is usually refers to grey cast iron. However, if you just bought yours, it is crucial to follow the steps of cleaning a cast iron teapot: Never heat an empty Tetsubin in an open fireplace. It is not based on the luck or technique, but design. In addition, thanks to the iron content of the kettle, the resultant water gives us additional health benefits. We wish you lots of fun with your Japanese cast iron kettle or teapot! This tetsubin has several features of an antique Japanese tetsubin. As for the non-hand-made kettle with sand mold, the same mold is recycled uncountable time. Once archetype is baked, use the archetype for casting the external layer with clay mold and bake it. We select the hand-made product ranging from Low-end to Super High-end. This is the reason that certain shape of kettle such as Nanbu Shape is very expensive. Tetsubin were imported to Europe with new colorful look. The name tetsubin () literally means iron pot. Different waters contain different types of minerals effecting each water's composition, and hence the water's flavor and physical sensation or taste. Always check the package or confirm with the seller the economic life of a teapot. This brought the need for a Japanese style teapot to replace the costly Chinese utensils the Tetsubin. Instead, boil water in another pot and fill your teapot before tipping out the water. The iron contained in the Tetsubin will directly diffuse into the water making the water contained of natural iron. This is the traditional pattern as well. Brewing tea in a cast iron teapot is similar to steeping in a ceramic teapot. Get a cast iron teapot set . Mizusawa cast iron is also recognized as Nanbu Cast Iron. There are a few reasons why cast iron kettle is coated. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also embody ichi-go ichi-e (for this time only or once in a lifetime), a concept of Japanese culture that captures the essence of the present moment shared by fellow tea friends. Both workshops produced a number of products in the history, yet disappeared. The news then spread nationwide through the newspaper. The cast iron and glazing material will expand when it is heated. Bowls, spoons, and even the environment are all important factors, but perhaps the most essential component is the tetsubin, or cast-iron kettle. Usually good brand never recycled more than 4 times as pattern is getting blur. In this regard, it is not true that old tetsubin performs better. However, it is possible to use it to make English or Chinese teas or any other tea. The type of clay teapot one chooses to use to brew the tea. In fact, the affinity of the water molecule with certain types of minerals in the Tetsubin is stronger than those existing between the water molecules themselves. The production cost for solid handle is much cheaper than hollow type. 10 Best Japanese Bathhouses in Tokyo. With all the etiquette that looks so subtle with the naked eyes, here come the Tetsubin, cast iron kettle that bring out the flavor of the tea. What interesting is there is also company who has been using old coin to produce the cast iron kettle Tetsubin. You can add more or less to meet your taste. Need to use it on a stove top? Ships from San Francisco, CA. But why is it so difficult to recreate that flavor when you get home? The excessively rusted interior no longer retains ferric, but ferrous. Sponsored. The steps below are specific to tetsukyusu, cast iron teapots with tea strainer and enamel coating inside. If you just got your cast iron teapot, Im sure youll love it. The design of the neck is also classic in older Japanese tetsubin and very high end new ones. However, they are coming to gather attention overseas as well as in Japan. Tetsubinare traditionally heated over charcoal. If it i All About Tamari Sauce: A Great Alternative For Regular Soy Sauce, How to Choose The Right Japanese Soy Sauce (Shoyu), Nambu cast iron Kettle Tetsubin, A Traditional Handicraft for the people, Process of Making Nambu Cast Iron Tetsubin, Nambu Cast Iron Kettle is an Indispensable Item in Tea Ceremony, Benefits of using Nambu Cast Iron Kettle Tetsubin, Different between Nambu Cast Iron Kettle (Tetsubin) and Teapot (Kyuusu), Raising your own Nambu Cast Iron Kettle Tetsubin, Recommended Products for Nambu Cast Iron Kettle (Tetsubin), The Myth of Cast Iron and How Nambu Cast Iron Revoke it. Nowadays, no one is processing sand iron using traditional method. In order to maximize the effects of tetsubin, it is important to know the affinity that exists between the iron of the Tetsubin and the type of clay used to create your teapot. 8)Do not leave any water in the tetsubin for a long period of time. A cast iron teapot, on the other hand, is lined with enamel and is used for brewing tea. Brewing different kinds of teas in the same kettle can affect the taste of the brewed tea. Japanese tetsubin (iron teapots) evolved from larger vessels used centuries ago to heat water for tea and provide warmth and humidity in the home during the winter. Theyll let you know about where and how the kettle is manufactured. 22 Best Japanese Ceramic Towns You Should Visit, Kimono Fabric: 9 Things to Know About Japanese Silk, What is Bizen Ware? This Tetsubin kettle features a modern, elegant design with a curved edge around the lid for no spillage. As HOJO is directly dealing with the manufacturer, we are able to provide professional service after sales. In ryakubon, the first ritual preparation a chanoyu host learns, a tetsubin is used to boil water for preparing tea. This is one ofthe reason why the prices can skyrocketed. But they became to use a simple and convenient kettle due to changing circumstances. As mentioned earlier, do not place the kettle directly on a heat source to avoid damaging or cracking it. Due to the difference in designs, shapes, and sizes, teapots come at different costs. Despite of that, the cast iron kettles that are representative of Nambu ironware will be varied according to the artisan or the companies. Never use cold water if the cast iron material is still hot. With the source in mind, you could get a durable teapot that can become an heirloom piece. A Tetsubin will rust if it is not well taken care of by its owner. The taste often becomes nothing but flat despite you are using very good tetsubin and teapot. The mold for the bottom part of kettle is made according to the same method. It was made of herbs believed to have medicinal benefits. The Japanese cast iron teapot became more popular in the early 19 century when the demand rose with the start of WWII. Also, ensure that the cast iron teapot suits your home dcor. It can be utilized as simple drinking water; as water for the making of coffee; or even as water in the making soup or commercial products like Cup O'Noodles. It acted as a symbolic revolt against the ruling class, who favored the formalityChanoyu. The steam they produced would humidify a room, and the indoor fire would warm the room. It is during that era when Japanese Literati (a group of artists who considered themselves intellectuals), adopted Sencha as their primary drink. 9)If accidentally keeps water inside the tetsubin for more than a day, the tetsubin will partially get rusted. A Tetsubin is cast iron and is used to boil water and brew tea. COPYRIGHT 2022 TOPICTEA. Katamochi is the 2 nails that used to fix the internal mold (nakago) during casting. Each of them bears a "Made in Japan" logo and the Iwachu symbol engraved as a guarantee of quality and genuine origin. History. Modern-day Nambu ironware also utilizes cast metal produced near Morioka, in the Sendai domain or current day Oshu City. However, if you compare two different cups of tea, one brewed with water from a Tetsubin, and one brewed in a stainless steel teapot; you will find that the cup brewed using water from a Tetsubin will definitely have a deeper aroma and flavor. Clay teapots are typically used to brew green teas since the porous clay absorbs the flavor of each brew. The kettle is built from a few separate parts as follow. If using a gas cooker, it generates Carbon Dioxide and water when it is burning. If the design of spout is too complicated or the length of spout is very long, the mold has to be destroyed after casting. This may cause possible cracking and damage. They have an enamel lining which makes tea brewing similar to using the typical ceramic teapot. Rinse out your new cast-iron kettle with warm water and repeat the process a couple of time. As a matter of fact, the type of handle is a fashion and it is the major factor in determining the price and superiority of kettle. The solid looking, jet-black color, and the calm cast surface. A tetsubin is a traditional Japanese tea kettle and an icon of Japanese culture. This happens because of differences in coefficients of thermal expansion that exist between the two materials, iron and enamel. The hobnail design is one of the oldest and most classic tetsubin designs, favored by many for its simple beauty. This means it should last longer than glass or ceramic teapots. The Nambu cast iron branding started it history with cast iron kettle (tetsubin) as it first product. Depending on the alloying element, cast iron will form so-called white cast Iron that has similar character as sand iron. The water boiled in a tetsubin is not only suitable for the preparation of tea. The solid handle is used for low to intermediate model. As with any teapot, refrain from using any soap or detergent. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice on health benefits, diagnosis, or treatment. Traditionally the Japanese included a rusted nail in their recipe to add more color to food. There are three major traditional patterns. Later in the 19th Continue reading How To Use A Tetsubin (Japanese Kettle) Experts remove the infuser from the teapot so that the tea does not become too bitter while also keeping it hot. It is kind of Wabi-Sab. In this area, the local daimyo had a strong affinity for tea culture and actively promoted cast iron craftsmanship. Suzuki Shuzendo, Tetsubin Design and Pattern Books. The Tetsubin has been made in Japan since the Sixteenth Century. If you do not like it, you can apply green tea on it to reduce the rust and it will turn to dark color. The temperature of tetsubin goes higher than 100 degree C if there is no water inside. Then, fill it with water and let it boil and let it sit for a while before tipping out the water. We hope that our exhaustive guide has answered all the questions you had about cast iron teapot, and now you are in a better position to buy a suitable one to enhance your tea drinking experience. Cast iron is known to be very hard-wearing. Great Value for Money: Suyika Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot. Using boiled water from the tetsubin to brew tea, the taste of tea, in particular, the intensity of the after taste of the tea changes. We accept various kinds of credit card through Paypal. Use warm water to clean it, especially if the teapot is still hot. Nambu cast iron Kettle (Tetsubin) is also said will make good combination of tea when using it with clay teapot. The minerals also prevent rust from forming. This is nothing to worry about; its normal. Place your desired amount into the tea infuser. But it is also used for making low-end cast iron kettle or tea pot. Cast iron kettle is made by pouring molten iron into the mold and forms the shape accordingly. It is stumped on the surface of mold while the clay is still soft. In general, the use of a Tetsubin will enhance the taste of the water used. It significantly changes the taste of water. It is the Southern part of Iwate prefecture. In Tohoku region, the scale of casting industry developed is far beyond other areas. When brewing tea using water boiled in Tetsubin, the taste of the tea becomes very mellow and sweet. The Nambu cast iron kettle makers said that they heard this a lot from the customer. The interior is either bare iron or only coated with Urushi. Jrmie Pouchard / Creative Commons, Japanese Tea Ceremony Set. The teapot can be filled with tea from 16 to 22 ounces and only weighs around three pounds. The interior is either bare iron or only coated with Urushi. In the Japanese art of chanoyu, the special portable brazierfor this is the binkake(). From the surface it can look the same. On the top of base coating, another layer of coating in black or brown color is applied. The goldfish represents good fortune according to Japanese culture, making it all the more symbolic. Lets take a look! Nowadays these 2 brands always appear in the auction. After removing the rust from your cast iron teapot, boiloolongorgreen tealeaves and leave it to cool off inside the cast iron teapot. What Is Ceremonial Matcha And How Is It Different From Culinary Matcha? When the internal mold is ready, the internal mold is scraped according to the required thickness of the iron. 2) Deep arare pattern such as Oni arare may usually destroy the mold once it is used. Use boiling water to rinse the Japanese Tetsubin a couple of times. Tetsubin MUST NOT be heated when there is no water inside. Tetsubin begin to gain attention overseas during the Edo period, in which the act of drinking tea spread across Europe especially The Great Britain. For cast iron tetsubin, of course it is fine to place it on fire. Remove the strainer with tea once it has brewed. Despite of the fact that it contain iron, the water does not have a metallic taste at all due to the oxidation that took place during the seasoning process. Have a look at your cast iron teapot: if the inside is enamel glazed and equipped with a strainer, it is a tetsukyusu! Thank you for visiting HOJO website. You must be very careful, and select the correct combination of Tetsubin, water, and Clay Tea Pot when preparing tea. I have ever experienced the different outcome when I use different water. For Japanese, if you just got your first Tetsubin, you should not brew tea using it right away. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'topictea_com-portrait-2','ezslot_31',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-topictea_com-portrait-2-0');Additionally, it has better heat distribution than glass and ceramic. Frankly speaking, you do not need a Tetsubin if you just want to enjoy the aroma component of your tea. link to Tea Leaf Reading Symbols - How To Interpret Them. Its sad to spend a huge deal of money only to find that the pot stands only one year of use. There are a few different kinds of mold as follow. However those antique satetsu tetsubins are very brittle. The region of Tohoku is best known for producing tetsubin and tetsukyusu. In particular, the arare is very typical. Noodle Kimm, Tetsukyusu in a Shop Window. On top of that, we select Seiko-Do as it represents Yamagata style. Next step is to steep tea directly in the iron cast kettle. Free shipping for many products! If you get a cast iron teapot from your local store, then chances are its made of high quality cast iron. Basically the iron is produced by respective brand. The design introduced enameling of teapots to avoid rust from iron and prevent the tea from becoming bitter. Iwachu is a manufacture of traditional cast ironware in Morioka city in the north of Japan. Tetsubin have been around for hundreds of years. All the parts of mold for making spout are assembled and fixed into the external mold of kettle. In making high-end cast iron kettle, the mold is used only once. Ryumon-Do () is the very old workshop started in year 1764. Tetsubin Japanese Tea kettle Pot Nanbu Cast Iron 0.8L New From Japan. Be careful and focus on craftsmanship and quality! Once the tetsubin is shaped, its pattern is stamped. 11)Medically, rusted iron is safe for health. In addition, thanks to the iron content of the tetsubin, the tea water provides further health benefits. This is refers to the product made in mass production scale. It is also vital to consider the economic life of your iron cast teapot, especially if you intend to get an heirloom piece. So getting the teapot from one of these origins means you are getting a quality build. There is no enamel or glazing on the inside of a Tetsubin. It is very difficult to handle and in many cases it cracks easily during casting. The largest production of cast iron ware In Japan. The modern enamel lined teapots can be used in the same way as ceramic teapots. During Edo Era, all kinds of cast iron kettle were made of sand iron. For example, if there is no mineral content in the instrument utilized to boil the water, for instance, a sterile glass beaker, the positive and negative charges of the elements of the water molecule will simply be attracted to each other and form their network or molecule through their hydrogen bonds. Step 2: Add tea leaves For every 8 ounces of water, measure out the necessary number of tea leaves. If tetsubin is heated with stronger fire from the beginning, it causes stress to the tetsubin. When they had completed their castle and township, they invited 4 famous casters from various places to settle down at Morioka. Japanese Tetsubin Teapot Coated with Enameled Interior, Durable Cast Iron Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser 1000ml 4.5 out of 5 stars (64) As Japanese teas are refined and delicate, the teas after-taste becomes sweeter and rounder when the water is boiled in a cast iron kettle. These bonds give water it's characteristic viscosity and surface tension, but a plain or flat flavor. You can check this video for more information, Have a bumpy gradient surface like a hailstone, The drawing on this design started from the interior, Able to be put on the stove even direct fire, Cannot be use on the stove or direct fire. The kettle made with sand mold is different from hand-made kettle in terms of: The cost of hand-made cast iron kettle is very high as the clay mold can only be used for very limited times. Specify the position of spout and a hole is made on external mold. How to Take Care of Your Japanese Cast Iron Kettle or Teapot? Often elaborately decorated with relief designs on the outside, tetsubin may have various and sometimes unusual shapes. Mizusawa had a longer history in iron casting and their main product are daily cook ware. Therefore, you must decide your budget ahead. You can feel the weighty quality of these teapots, made entirely of cast iron and enameled inside, with large-volume stainless steel tea . Yamagata has been much influenced by Kyoto style in their design aspects. Doing that can damage the teapot and even cause cracks on the enamel interior. Founded in 1902 in Iwate prefecture, Iwachu is one of the leading Japanese manufacturers of tetsubin and tetsukyusu. Even some of the design is imitated of each other perfection. All of our cast iron teapots come with a removable tea filter. Due to the nature of the material used on these spots, it gets hotter than cast iron. This is called dipole in Chemistry. When Nambu cast iron kettle started to be marketed overseas especially Europe, they were commercialized into varieties of new looks and with radiant colors. When cast iron tetsubin is heated on induction heater, these 2 spots tend to be over heated. Silver inlay can be applied regardless or hollow or solid handle. Tetsubin are Japanese cast iron kettles equipped with a top handle, a lid, and a pouring spout. All the natural can be found from the Iwate prefecture. Ultimately, the most famous origin for cast iron kettle in Japan is Morioka and Mizusawa. Sencha began to be used in an informal setting by friends and families. Tetsukyusu should never be used over a fire. Pioneer in the manufacturingA certain number of persons in a certain area are manufacturing or engaged in the manufacturing. However there is an exceptional case. The clay mold is made with the same method as making the external mold. Related Article:Cast Iron Teapots Care and Maintenance Instructions. 7 Things to Know About Wabi-Sabi Pottery, What are Sushi Plates? The last traditional motif is figurative. For now, the sand iron is very limited and it is difficult for the artist to obtain its raw material. Old Dutch Cast Iron Sapporo Teapot, 20-Ounce, Black. Tetsubin() are Japanese cast-ironkettles with a pouring spout, a lid, and a handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking purposes, such as for making tea. Cast Iron Teapots Care and Maintenance Instructions, How to Properly Measure Loose Leaf Tea For Brewing, Learn the Difference Between Steeping and Brewing Tea, The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Japanese Teapot, You need to have boiling water ready to kill any bacteria that may be living inside, Take the lid off and infuser out of the teapot. It is totally a different things. 1) Tea Pot has a strainer, while kettle does not have. The cast iron teapot, also known as tetsubin in Japan, is a classical Japanese teapot made from sturdy cast iron. 6 Things You Need to Know, 35 Most Famous Japanese Artists You Should Know, 40 Best Japanese Sunscreens For Every Skin Type, 30 Best Places to Visit on Shikoku Island, What are Sento? Usually, the first thing that a novice Tetsubin user tends to appreciate is the change in the aroma of his tea, rather than the actual taste. 2) Internal mold: To cast the internal layer of kettle. He even invited famous iron casters to settle down in the castle town. Nevertheless, there is a major difference: the inside of the tetsukyusu is glazed with enamel to make it more practical for tea brewing and is often equipped with a removable tea strainer. These cast iron teapots have enamel or glazing on the inside. The origin of the tetsubin is still not completely clear. Its always better to be informed before committing. $200.00. The main product is the daily cook ware. They are free to create any pattern they like as there are no restriction upon it from the Nambu cast iron association. It is very time consuming work as everything is fully depending on manual work. 3) It is much heavier than hand made kettle. Just like existence of teapot in the England afternoon tea. 2) Inside the commercially made cast iron kettle, it is coated with either fluoroplastic or glaze. The story begins since before the starting of Edo period, Nambu cast iron kettle Tetsubin begin to receive recognition across Japan. Though it is a Nambu cast iron product, unlike Nambu Cast Iron Kettle or Tetsubin, Nambu cast iron Teapot or Kyuusu does not have any health benefits. At that time, Japanese intellectuals were strongly inspired by China, enjoying Chinese arts and crafts. You can find tetsubin in a variety of beautiful traditional Japanese designs, from pebbled surfaces to beautifully cast dragonflies or cherry blossoms.