Artisan Tetsubin

Tetsubin are Japanese cast iron pots having pouring spout and handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking purposes, such as for making tea. Because iron is released into the water, the water is appreciated as a dietary source of iron.

Tetsubin traditionally are heated over a charcoal fire. In the Japanese art of chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony), the special portable brazier for this is the binkake.

Tetsubin are often elaborately decorated with relief designs on the outside. They range widely in size, and many have unusual shapes, making them popular with collectors. A relatively small tetsubin may hold around .5 litres of water; large ones may hold around 5 litres.
Tetsubin can be found in many colors with various designs and patterns such as this red one that has symbols depicting each of the four seasons for good luck.

The historical origin of the tetsubin is not certain. At last one authoritative Japanese source states that it developed from the spouted and handled water kettle called tedorigama that was already being used in chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) in the era of Sen no Rikyū (1522-91). During the 19th century infused tea became more popular, and tetsubin were considered primarily status symbols, rather than functional kitchen items.


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