 All
of our Tetsubin teapots are handcrafted and imported
from Japan. Each pot is lined with a baked enamel
finish to provide years of use. A stainless steel mesh
infuser filter is included with each teapot. Each pot
comes in a sturdy box, ready to giftwrap.
Our
Tetsubin Teapots are individually hand cast from iron
using the same techniques used hundreds of years ago.
The surface his hand ground and finished, then painted
with a non-toxic, heat resistant finish. The inside of
each pot is then coated with a baked enamel finish to
prevent rusting. Please read the care and handling
instructions below to ensure that your tetsubin teapot
provides you years of service.
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 The
Tetsubin (pronounced “tet-SUE-bin”) teapot is a
Japanese teapot made of cast iron. A typical Tetsubin
teapot has a geometric, organic or animal pattern
decoration on the side where its spout faces your
right. This is because the pot is held in the left
hand in Chanoyu, the Japanese
tea ceremony. Its design is thought to have been
influenced by the kettles of the common Japanese
households of the 17th and 18th
centuries. These kettles were simple in design and
undecorated. They were typically hung on the fireplace
hearth to provide hot water, warmth and humidity to a
household; they were extremely practical pieces of
kitchenware.
During
this time period in Japan, tea drinking was not
popular with the common citizen. Only the wealthy
could afford Matcha, a type of powder used to brew
tea. When the Chinese method of tea brewing called
Sencha (brewing with whole leaves instead of the
powder) was introduced to Japan, tea drinking became
affordable and more accessible to common people.
Despite Sencha, Chinese teapot styles were expensive,
and the Japanese people adopted their hearth kettles
to brew their tea. Thus, the Tetsubin teapot was
created.
The
Tetsubin teapot remained largely unmodified and simple
until the 19th century, when Japanese art,
which was gradually being influenced by the Chinese
mainland as well, exploded in a cultural revolution.
Over time, the Tetsubin style and design became more
elaborate. Soon, a wide range of Tetsubin teapots were
available, from the simple, hearth kettle style, to
garishly designed works of art. The Tetsubin teapot
gradually evolved into a cultural status symbol for
its owner. The more elaborate the teapot one owned,
the more prestigious one was (or wanted to be) in
social status. Read
More...
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- Thoroughly rinse the
pot and infuser with hot water after each use.
- For best results, do
not wash the tetsubin with harsh detergents or
cleaning aids. Rinse well with plain water and dry
completely after each use.
- Repeat this process
a few times before using it for the first time.
- While the teapot is
still warm, wipe the inside and outside with a dry
cloth. Turn upside down and allow to air dry.
- Do not expose the
teapot to rapid changes in temperature as it could
damage the enamel lining. Do not run hot teapot
under cold water. Allow it to cool down first.
- Please do not use in
microwave oven or place in dishwasher.
- Avoid contact with
salt or oil.
- Do not leave tea or
water in teapot for extended periods of time. For
best results, clean immediately after use.
- The mineral layer
that develops on the inside of the teapot with use
has been noted to be good for the health and is
normal. This natural protective layer, the mineral
coating inhibits the formation of rust.
The
Tetsubin Teapot is to be used to brew tea, not as a
stovetop kettle. |
