The name Iwachu is synonymous with cast iron goods of the highest quality, and the brand's versatile product range extends from classic cast iron kettles (tetsubin), teapots (tetsu kyusu) and related accessories to bells, pans and much more. The manufacturer has boasted its own tradition since its founding in the Meiji period and throughout the 400-year-old Nanbu tekki tradition. It also has its own production line. Every step, from design planning to manufacturing to sales, is carried out by the company itself. Iwachu is dedicated to producing robust cast iron products with excellent functionality and contemporary design. Master casters at the company are required to undergo a minimum of 15 years of training, meaning that all products meet the highest quality standards.
Tetsubin
Satetsu
Sakura L
IWACHU
SKU
3081
Yoshi En has recently grown out of Sunday Natural to become an independent premium tea store. As part of this transition, some products may still be shipped in Sunday Natural packaging.
A high-quality cast iron kettle (tetsubin) by Iwachu, a traditional Japanese manufacturer from Iwate, Japan. Cast in the circular, flat Maruasa shape (丸浅), this rare, handmade masterpiece is made of ironsand (satetsu; 砂鉄) and features sakura patterning (桜; cherry blossom) and a natural lacquer coating to protect from rust. Used for boiling water, this kettle is iron permeable and sounds with a beautiful tinkling noise when the water is boiling. 1.9L
| Type | Nanbu Tekki tetsubin |
| Origin | Morioka, Iwate, Japan |
| Studio/Artist | Iwachu |
| Maximum Capacity | 1.9L |
| Dimensions | 20 x 17 x 23cm |
| Weight | 2.1kg |
| Material | Satetsu cast iron (ironsand) |
| Pattern | Sakura (桜; cherry blossom) |
| Coating | Naturally rust-resistant; only requires a natural lacquer (漆焼付仕上げ), fired on both the inside and the outside. Elaborate polishing on the upper exterior portion of the kettle |
| Stove Use | Suitable for use on electric stovetops as well as over small to medium gas-powered flames |
| Strainer | No strainer |
| Artist's Stamp | Iwachu stamp |
| Packaging | High-quality gift box from Iwachu |
In stock
Tetsubin 鉄瓶
With their rustic charm, Japanese tetsubin can warm the heart as much as the tea water. These traditional cast iron kettles (the word "tetsu-bin" 鉄瓶 translates as "iron vessel") are used to boil water in the home for tea and cooking but are also commonly used in tea ceremonies. The iron, which is uncoated on the inside, mineralises and softens the water, thereby reducing the astringency of green tea and making infusions richer and sweeter. The origin of the tetsubin is uncertain, but it is almost certainly an evolution of the older chagama (茶釜), a large tea kettle without a spout or handle, heated on a brazier or in a hearth. As the tetsubin is easier to transport, it is typically chosen over the traditional chagama for outdoor tea ceremonies. Tetsubin are often decorated with ornate reliefs and come in various shapes and sizes, making them coveted collector's items for tea aficionados.
Satetsu tetsubins are considered the finest, rarest and most valuable of all cast iron kettles. Visually, they are also considered the most beautiful kettles in Japan. Satetsu is said to produce the best tasting water for tea preparation due to its special composition. It is much more resistant to rust than regular cast iron due to its low carbon content, and when it does rust, it is easier to remove. Satetsu also provides much better heat retention due to its density and is lighter, with a more delicate appearance. However, it is also more brittle than conventional cast iron and can more easily break when dropped. An interesting feature of satetsu tetsubins is their special resonance: they produce a clear, sharp sound when tapped lightly with a metal object and sing beautifully once the water they contain comes to a boil due to the high vibration that the boiling water creates in the kettle (after which they may be removed from the stove).
Nanbu Tekki 南部鉄器
The origins of Nanbu Tekki, or Nanbu ironware, can be traced back to the mid-17th century, when the Nanbu samurai clan were in need of Buddhist altars, bells and chagama teapots to furnish their newly built castle in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, and so invited skilled metal casters from across the country to lend them a hand. Although the name Nanbu is written in kanji as "southern region", the clan ruled in the north of Japan, where materials needed for ironwork were naturally abundant. Highly durable, Nanbu Tekki is often deemed the best metalwork in Japan and makes beloved heirlooms—particularly cast iron kettles, or tetsubin, which are also highly sought after by collectors around the world. In 1975, Nanbu Tekki was designated the first certified Traditional Craft of Japan. The name Nanbu Tekki refers exclusively to cast iron products made in the cities of Morioka and Oshu.
