"Tetsubin Torayama Natsume Arare 1.4 liters (IH)"
Tetsubin is a kettle and a kyusu is a teapot
Not infrequently, confusion arises or these two, for the preparation of high-quality tea very important utensils, are confused. They often look similar, deceptively so. However, their tasks are fundamentally different. The tetsubin is used only to heat the water for tea preparation, to keep it warm and to improve the taste of the water. You cannot make tea in it. The cast iron teapot (tea pot) is usually much smaller and is used to prepare tea. There are very few \"combination models\", as they are also not so useful for the process of making tea.
The best quality from the hands of experienced artisans
Few artisans in Japan make cast iron nanbu tetsubin and
Kyusu. The working process, in order to achieve the desired very high quality, is very time-consuming and requires many years of experience from the masters. Elaborate clay molds are made by hand on the wheel and can usually be used for only 4 or 5 products. The world's most famous brand of handmade Nanbu tetsubin and
Kyusu made of cast iron (tea pot) is Iwachu, Iwate Prefecture. Only natural materials are used as raw materials: tested iron ore and iron sand,
Urushi lacquer, green tea and vinegar for the tetsubin, sealing and protecting the outer surfaces. Classic designs like the Arare motif but also picture motifs or very reduced designs are the rule. Colors are used rather rarely in the Tetsubin,
Kyusu are also available in very different, modern colors.
Nambu Tekki (Nanbu Tekki), ancient and unsurpassed
Making Nambu cast iron requires a very complex and complicated production process. This is also the reason why this manufacturing process is counted as a traditional handicraft - Nambu is only affordable by intensively trained artisans. Even a standard kettle requires nearly 70 steps. In Japan, it is assumed that training and experience of at least 15 years is necessary to become a high-quality manufacturer of cast iron products using the Nambu Tekki process. Only with about 40 years of experience will this craftsman achieve the status of a master.
All products are unique. Slight deviations from the picture are possible. Due to the handmade production, small irregularities in the shape and surface are possible. Iwachu products are only genuine with the original stamp on the product.
