Tetsubin
Encyclopedia
Tetsubin are Japan
ese 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 are traditionally heated over a charcoal fire. In the Japanese art of chanoyu
, the special portable brazier for this is the binkake (瓶掛). (See list of Japanese tea ceremony equipment).
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.
The historical origin of the tetsubin is not certain. At least one authoritative Japanese source states that it developed from the spouted and handled water kettle called tedorigama that was already being used in chanoyu in the era of Sen no Rikyū
(1522-91). During the 19th century, infused tea became more popular and tetsubin were considered primarily status symbol
s rather than functional kitchen items.
There is also a kind of relatively small cast iron pot that resembles a tetsubin but is glazed with enamel
on the inside in order to lend itself to making brewed tea, and is referred to as an iron kyūsu
(急須) or teapot. Most often, however, ceramic is used for making kyūsu. Kyūsu often come with a tea strainer
that fits inside.
The prefectures of Iwate
and Yamagata
are best known for producing tetsubin as well as iron kyūsu.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese cast iron
Cast iron
Cast iron is derived from pig iron, and while it usually refers to gray iron, it also identifies a large group of ferrous alloys which solidify with a eutectic. The color of a fractured surface can be used to identify an alloy. White cast iron is named after its white surface when fractured, due...
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
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
. Because iron is released into the water, the water is appreciated as a dietary source of iron.
Tetsubin are traditionally heated over a charcoal fire. In the Japanese art of chanoyu
Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called...
, the special portable brazier for this is the binkake (瓶掛). (See list of Japanese tea ceremony equipment).
Tetsubin are often elaborately decorated with relief
Relief
Relief is a sculptural technique. The term relief is from the Latin verb levo, to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is thus to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane...
designs on the outside. They range widely in size, and many have unusual shapes, making them popular with collectors
Collecting
The hobby of collecting includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. Some collectors are generalists, accumulating merchandise, or stamps from all countries of the world...
. A relatively small tetsubin may hold around .5 litres of water; large ones may hold around 5 litres.
The historical origin of the tetsubin is not certain. At least one authoritative Japanese source states that it developed from the spouted and handled water kettle called tedorigama that was already being used in chanoyu in the era of Sen no Rikyū
Sen no Rikyu
, is considered the historical figure with the most profound influence on chanoyu, the Japanese "Way of Tea", particularly the tradition of wabi-cha...
(1522-91). During the 19th century, infused tea became more popular and tetsubin were considered primarily status symbol
Status symbol
A status symbol is a perceived visible, external denotation of one's social position and perceived indicator of economic or social status. Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols...
s rather than functional kitchen items.
There is also a kind of relatively small cast iron pot that resembles a tetsubin but is glazed with enamel
Vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also porcelain enamel in U.S. English, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C...
on the inside in order to lend itself to making brewed tea, and is referred to as an iron kyūsu
Kyusu
is a traditional Japanese teapot mainly used for brewing green tea.The common misconception is that a kyusu always has a side handle. However, the word "kyusu" merely means "teapot", even though in common usage kyusu usually does refer to a teapot with a side handle.The two most common types of...
(急須) or teapot. Most often, however, ceramic is used for making kyūsu. Kyūsu often come with a tea strainer
Tea strainer
A tea strainer is a type of strainer that is placed over or in a teacup to catch tea leaves.When tea is brewed in the traditional manner in a teapot, the tea leaves are not contained in teabags, but rather are freely suspended in the water. As the leaves themselves may be distasteful, it is usual...
that fits inside.
The prefectures of Iwate
Iwate Prefecture
is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...
and Yamagata
Yamagata Prefecture
-Fruit:Yamagata Prefecture is the largest producer of cherries and pears in Japan. A large quantity of other kinds of fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, melons, persimmons and watermelons are also produced.- Demographics :...
are best known for producing tetsubin as well as iron kyūsu.