Minerals attract volatile flavor producing substances and form stronger hydrogen bonds in water. G7741:XF Japanese Old Iron . Most iron teapots are used as teapot and kettle. It acted as a symbolic revolt against the ruling class, who favored the formalityChanoyu. The teapot itself retains the heat of the drink much longer. It was made of herbs believed to have medicinal benefits. But not long ago, most of them have disappeared. This is the reason that certain shape of kettle such as Nanbu Shape is very expensive. Occasionally some artists like to paint urushi inside the kettle in order to protect the iron from rusting. On the other hand, the effect on the taste even the benefits of the iron is unattainable by the user. A number of tetsubin being sold and claimed to be antique piece were often covered with a thick layer of rust in the interior. The Tetsubin has been made in Japan since the Sixteenth Century. A Tetsubin means a cast iron teapot, but a cast iron teapot may not always mean a Tetsubin. It is then proven that the reputation of Nambu cast iron Kettle is recognize world widely. During the Edo era, all tetsubins were made of Satetsu (Sand Iron). In this area, the local daimyo had a strong affinity for tea culture and actively promoted cast iron craftsmanship. Do not use them on electric stoves. In this case, the stamping work is manually performed on each kettle. 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. The design is different from Nanbu Tekki. Once a product is made, the mold will be destroyed. Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot. The shipping fee to oversea by small air parcel happens to be even cheaper than domestic shipping fee in Japan. In addition, it is doubtful that terribly rusty surface has the same porosity. 13 Things to Know about Japanese Hairpins, Choosing the Best Japanese Futon: All You Need to Know, Gion Kyoto: 20 Must-See Highlights of the Geisha District, The A-Z of Japanese Pottery: 32 Most Popular Ceramic Styles, Junji Ito: 10 Best Stories from Japans Master of Horror, What is Bunraku? Using the cast iron teapot offers a variety of benefits over regular tea kettles. Using the same clay mold, kettle is cast over and over again sometimes even more than 100 times. Usually the Kyoto style has simple surface with sand skin, very solid curving and sometimes inlay with silver. It is also vital to consider the economic life of your iron cast teapot, especially if you intend to get an heirloom piece. A majority of tea lovers prefer to use the Tetsubin to heat the water over a stove directly. We do not charge any profit on the repairing work. A set of metal plate is used to form the shape of kettle. This is due to the mineral composition in the iron of the Tetsubin, as well as the different techniques used in casting the Tetsubin.Based on our own study, the difference in performance and affinity is caused due to the charcoal baking process. (2) The sand iron has much higher density than normal cast iron and therefore the heat retention is better. The charcoal fire does not generate moisture and it will not cause rust at the bottom of tetsubin. The latter was already being used in in the sixteenth century. 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. In addition to that, it is also known to be well loved in Paris and England. When brewing tea using water boiled in Tetsubin, the taste of the tea becomes very mellow and sweet. Free shipping for many products! The Japanese cast iron teapot is intended to hold the heat in, and that it does. While Mizusawa produces kitchen ware for everyday use, Morioka specializes in high-level tea ware. The binder is made of soft clay that was aged and matured in a water bath. These kettles are carefully fired at approximately 800 degrees Celsius to form a natural oxidized coating which prevents rust. As HOJO is directly dealing with the manufacturer, we are able to provide professional service after sales. This . $279.90. Mizusawa had a longer history in iron casting and their main product are daily cook ware. In the history, there were Kyoto style which produced in Kyoto and Shiga. The iron contained in the Tetsubin will directly diffuse into the water making the water contained of natural iron. By the beginning of the 19thcentury, teapots designs ranged from simple to intricate. Why use a tetsubin? These cast iron teapots have enamel or glazing on the inside. People often think this is cast without any pattern stamped. There is a noticeable number of Kyoto style tetsubins in Asia market such as Kibun-Do () and Ryumon-Do (). Morioka Study Museum of Archeological Site, Fuji-Shaped Tetsubin. All available teapots from us come with an infuser thats found around the rim, under the lid. The tea contains natural antioxidants that will reduce the rust to give the interior a darker color. Click here for green tea. He actively promoted the cast iron craft, invited famous casters from various places and let them settle down under his own castle town. The taste often becomes nothing but flat despite you are using very good tetsubin and teapot. The History of Tetsubin No one knows precisely when Tetsubin first appeared in Japan, but evidence shows a close link to the rise of Sencha (). As the same time, the Tetsubin took various ornamental design shifts. The designs varied from minimalist and pared to decorated models. Complete Guide for using Tetsubin in English: For the all Anime lovers out there, check out the special edition of Nanbu cast iron Kettle collaborating with Bandai. Beware and observe carefully before purchasing it,and if you are planning to buy it in Japan, remember the Kanji or the word itself. Once upon a time when Japan was in Warring states period, casters were making weapons and moving around the country. You can feel the weighty quality of these teapots, made entirely of cast iron and enameled inside, with large-volume stainless steel tea . Instead, boil water in another pot and fill your teapot before tipping out the water. These equal electrical charges, that exist on both oxygen and hydrogen, cause water molecules to constantly spin when in a liquid state . Another interesting feature about the tetsubin is that the ornamented side is generally the one with the spout facing to the right. It does not really change the taste of water and tea. If you do not like it, you can apply green tea on it to reduce the rust and it will turn to dark color. If you use induction heater, you must set the heater with lower output until entire tetsubin is heated up. Can this statement be applied to all cast iron acrossed the globe? After all, the mold can only be reused for a few times. Every part is made separately and the details of making it will be discussed in details in the following paragraphs. It will give your water a pleasant after taste and long lasting flavor. Our Iwachu cast iron teapots are all made in Japan & include infuser baskets, porcelain linings & use & care instructions. Both materials are from the local mountains and river band. The duration for steeping will depend on the tea that you choose. Traditionally cast iron tetsubin was heated by charcoal fire. It is said that when making tea, the tea taste less astringent and sweeter than normal tea. The internal mold is called Nakago (). Arare and Hada are two design that become the representative of Nambu Cast Iron Kettle. The name tetsubin () literally means iron pot. Related Article: Learn the Difference Between Steeping and Brewing Tea. At present, they discontinue making the cast iron and there is no more famous workshop remains in Kyoto. If we examine the condition of the 2 urushi spots, we will find out whether or not it is caused due to the excessive heating. 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. In fact, these products are just one of the styles. During the Edo period, in the second half of the seventeenth century, Chinese merchants visiting Nagasaki brought loose leaf tea knowledge to Japan. Noodle Kimm, Tetsukyusu in a Shop Window. As mentioned earlier, do not place the kettle directly on a heat source to avoid damaging or cracking it. Not only that, it also features (tetsu tama), an iron ball in the shape of the Gundam character. The Tetsubin has been made in Japan since the Sixteenth Century. Usually, different brands of Tetsubin have different effects on the taste of the water chosen. Why are tetsubin so essential for Japanese tea, and how can you choose the right one? Tetsubin begin to gain attention overseas during the Edo period, in which the act of drinking tea spread across Europe especially The Great Britain. 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. Using it as the sand mold, the products with the same design are cast over and over again. Shoji Hamada, Japan Folk Craft Museum Expo70. Outside Japan and especially in the Western market, the most famous Japanese teapot is the tetsukyusu () (iron teapot), a cast iron teapot that outwardly looks like a tetsubin. Japanese Tetsubin Japanese Cast-iron Tetsubin Exactly when the tetsubin first appeared in Japan is unclear, but much evidence suggests a close relationship with the rise of the sencha, a form of tea-drinking that uses tea leaves instead of powdered tea. All the natural can be found from the Iwate prefecture. This brings the real flavor of the tea. The different brand uses different color and the production technique is kept secret. Unlike the standard ceramic kettles, these teapots create a unique table service. It is traditionally a hand crafted object that was developed as an utensil for use in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. It was built by the previous user. Consequently, new Japanese kettles were used, and this led to the increasing popularity of tetsubin. The design introduced enameling of teapots to avoid rust from iron and prevent the tea from becoming bitter. In addition , it will reduce the unwanted aromas of your water. Just like existence of teapot in the England afternoon tea. It becomes easier to choose your ideal size and shape. There are a few patterns traditionally used for the cast iron kettle. In this article, we will introduce you about this popular Japanese Handcraft. The type of clay teapot one chooses to use to brew the tea. The Japanese cast iron teapot became more popular in the early 19 century when the demand rose with the start of WWII. When the kettle is heated up to 300-400 degree C, the urushi is applied. Throughout the history, the development of casting industry has been getting very firm back up from their local king or government. Kyoto was also once known for iron ware production with a different design: a simple sanded surface, solid carving, and sometimes silver inlays. 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. However, typical enamel lined cast iron teapots do not add anything to the drink because the tea does not touch any of the cast iron material. Then the sand ball is stamped on the mold. Both Morioka and Mizusawa cast iron ware are called Nanbu Tekki (). The water boiled in a tetsubin is not only suitable for the preparation of tea. The products ranging from high-end hand craft to commercial cast iron ware. Firstly, rinse your tetsubin with cool water after purchase, then boil water inside several times to clean it. Ryumon-Do () is the very old workshop started in year 1764. Nambu cast iron Kettle (Tetsubin) is also said will make good combination of tea when using it with clay teapot. Traditionally, Flower, Horse, Bird, and Sansui () is used as a motif. There are 2 different types of handle, hollow and solid. Discover authentic Japanese fermented food tutorials, recipes, and high-quality product recommendations. Traditionally, they were used with charcoal, which made them appear rusty on the exterior. If you are very lucky, you may get 1st cast kettle which pattern is sharp and vivid. This is the right way to introduce heat to your iron cast teapot. Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Japanese Teapot. No. Both workshops produced a number of products in the history, yet disappeared. To brew tea in a cast iron teapot, you have to steep the tea leaves in hot water. Due to the gorgeous carving and silver inlay, people spontaneously take it as a high-end product. The result of it was remarkable and was fruitful. In the Japanese art of chanoyu (tea ceremony), tetsubin are placed on a portable brazier named binkake () and traditionally heated over charcoal. As time went by, they developed very strong cast iron industry. The techniques also will be vary according to companies. But do not worry. The Japanese tetsubin is a cast iron teapot. Tetsubin Made in Japan - Etsy Find something memorable, join a community doing good. Nowadays these 2 brands always appear in the auction. Traditionally some designs such as Nanbu shape uses very long spout. Among these places, Morioka and Mizusawa are the most famous in iron ware, and it is known as Nanbu Tekki (). If they stop spinning, then water will become ice. As the result of slow evaporation, we feel a much deeper and longer lasting flavor in our mouth. Taking the external model, the internal mold is cast and baked. (4) It gives a very high tone when it is knocked and therefore it usually used for making wind bell. The contents of the TopicTea.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (Content) are for informational purposes only. When we use the word "Tetsubin", in Japanese, we are referring to a kettle that is used only to boil water. All of this being said, it becomes obvious that the taste of the water boiled in the Tetsubin will differ depending on the water one chooses to use. The traditional Tetsubin was heated over charcoal to boil and pour a drink. River sand, rock sand, iron sand, lacquer, clay and coal are all essential cast iron used for casting the iron. The real sand iron is made of magnetite (Fe3O4 ) which is the small crystal of magnetite. TEAS IRON TEAPOTS IRON KETTLES TEA ACCESSORIES Aka Seigaiha 20 oz $120.00 10 Things to Know About Cast Iron Kettles. They look like kettles, though teapots are smaller with enamel on the inside. Bowls, spoons, and even the environment are all important factors, but perhaps the most essential component is the tetsubin, or cast-iron kettle. The temperature of tetsubin goes higher than 100 degree C if there is no water inside. This method is used for very high-end model such as: Certain part of mold, in particular the mold for spout gets damaged and need to be repaired each time after casting. Clay molds are usually employed in the production of high-quality artisanal tetsubin. The Tetsubin is meant for boiling water. People that enjoyed this practice were mainly educated merchants who started drinking sencha in a less formal atmosphere than in chanoyu. Handcrafted by Japanese artisans with a 900 year history of iron work, this kettle features a porcelain enamel interior for a glass-like finish that aids in heat retention. 2) Inside the commercially made cast iron kettle, it is coated with either fluoroplastic or glaze. In addition, there is always a risk of heating the empty tea pot. Experts remove the infuser from the teapot so that the tea does not become too bitter while also keeping it hot. 1: Pre-rinse your tetsu kyusu using hot water 2: Fill the tea strainer with your desired tea *When using a tea strainer, we always recommend using fewer tea leaves as to not over-pack it. The chemical structure of water is part of the key that explains how water changes when boiled in a Tetsubin. The design is much influenced by Kyoto style. These teapots are meant for the brewing tea.They are completely different from so-called tetsubin. It would give a very different effect in taste compared to the original condition. Its worth noting that you should never use detergents and coarse sponges to clean it, as this may damage the teapot. In general, the use of a Tetsubin will enhance the taste of the water used. 8)Do not leave any water in the tetsubin for a long period of time. You should boil water and throw it out and repeat the process again and again. For the refine drawing line, mold can not be used more than one time as the pattern will be blurring. Also depending on how well received the new innovation, the prices can also plummet or spike. In the late 90s, there emerged a new type of design, specially for western markets and with brighter colors. Morioka-Nanbu has once produced the National Human Treasure that is the greatest and the most prestigious title for an artist in Japan. If you love the traditional aesthetic, then you will enjoy the cast iron teapots. What are Tetsubin? This will keep the glossy outlook of tetsubin. 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. This iron balls can be used for boiling water in pots or any kitchenware. The manufacturer recommends not using too strong heat on induction heater. This stronger attraction between minerals and water molecules also increases the viscosity and surface tension of the water. You need to consider getting a piece that suits your taste and personality. Low-end hand-made kettle is made with this method. Nevertheless, this production does not exist anymore. However the scale must be formed with your own water. To find out more about shopping for Japanese teapots check out Kyusu: Choosing the Best Traditional Japanese Teapot. Although these expressions are now often employed interchangeably, a tetsubin is not to be confused with a tetsukyusu. The pattern is stamped one by one by manual work. Some of the designs are included in museums and private collections. When it comes to hard-wearing, cast iron material stands out. He invited caster from Shiga prefecture and started the Mizusawa casting. Due to the nature of the material used on these spots, it gets hotter than cast iron. Perfection is the only word that can describe the Nambu cast iron kettle Tetsubin. Three factors can influence the flavor and taste of the tea one has chose to brew. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! You can find tetsubin in a variety of beautiful traditional Japanese designs, from pebbled surfaces to beautifully cast dragonflies or cherry blossoms. The moment the cast iron tea pot is heated without water inside, the glazed material will melt as its melting point is much lower than cast iron. Large teapots with a bamboo, wicker, or wooden handle on the top, dobin were used to boil water and to brew tea or herbal teas. Hibachiya / Creative Commons, Tetsubin Kettle. Because of this character, sometimes the high-end cook ware is made of sand iron. Yamagata manufactures cast iron qualitative wares in a simpler style. if the tetsubin becomes very rusty, there is a minor hole, cap becomes dented or lost or some parts are cracked. Great Value for Money: Suyika Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Teapot. We accept various kinds of credit card through Paypal. During Edo Era, all kinds of cast iron kettle were made of sand iron. You can add more or less to meet your taste. 7 Things to Know About Wabi-Sabi Pottery, What are Sushi Plates? When the molds are ready, the mold No 1) to No 4) is assembled before proceeding for casting. The cities of Morioka, Mizusawa (both located in Iwate prefecture), and Yamagata (in Yamagata prefecture) are the most famous for cast iron ware. Sand molds are generally used for mass production, especially for export. 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