Cast iron is used to create the Tetsubin (pronounced “tet-SUE-bin”) teapot, which is a traditional Japanese teapot. A traditional Tetsubin teapot includes a décor of a geometric design, an organic pattern, or an animal pattern on the side of the pot that faces your right and has the spout. The reason behind this is because during the Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ritual, the pot is always carried in the left hand. It is believed that the kettles that were used in typical Japanese homes throughout the 17th and 18th centuries served as inspiration for the design of this item. These kettles had a straightforward design and lacked any kind of embellishment. They were often hung on the fireplace hearth, and their primary function was to provide a home with hot water, warmth, and humidity. These pots and pans were incredibly functional items of kitchenware.
The average Japanese person did not consume tea throughout this historical period, therefore the culture did not have a strong association with the beverage. Matcha, a sort of tea-brewing powder, was unattainable for anyone without significant financial resources. Tea consumption in Japan became more accessible to the ordinary people when the Chinese technique of boiling tea known as Sencha was brought there from China. Sencha involves making tea using the complete leaves of the tea rather than the powder. In spite of Sencha, Chinese teapot types were costly, therefore Japanese people turned to using their traditional fire kettles to make their tea instead. As a result, the Tetsubin teapot came into being.
The Tetsubin teapot remained largely unchanged and uncomplicated until the 19th century, when Japanese art, which was also gradually becoming influenced by the Chinese mainland, exploded in a cultural revolution. During this time, the Tetsubin teapot was also gradually becoming more Chinese in its appearance. The style and design of the Tetsubin evolved through time to become increasingly intricate. Soon after, a diverse selection of Tetsubin teapots were available, ranging from plain, traditional hearth kettle designs to ornately decorated pieces of art. The Tetsubin teapot, along with its owner, eventually become a cultural status symbol over the years. The more ornate the teapot that a person had, the higher their social position was (or the higher they aspired to be), and vice versa.
Despite the fact that it shares origins with other teaware, the Tetsubin teapot was given a place of honour in traditional Japanese tea rituals. When brewing tea in a Ryakubon, a tiny ceremonial setting that calls for just a select few pieces of tea china, the Tetsubin is the vessel of choice. The Tetsubin is also used with the meal when it is served in the Kaiseki setting, which is another setting in which a more casual dinner is offered prior to the formal ceremony. In addition, the Tetsubin, which is more compact and has a spout than the Cha-Gama, is occasionally used in lieu of the latter in ceremonies that take place outside. Because it is significantly bigger, lacks a spout, and necessitates that the water be ladled into the tea cups, the Cha-Gama may be quite cumbersome to use in an outdoor setting.
The Tetsubin teapot, as it is known now, is a reflection of an essential component of Japanese culture as well as Japanese history. The structure and form of it are both straightforward and aesthetically pleasing, and its use is quite functional. Many people who are passionate about tea believe that the flavour of tea brewed in a cast iron Tetsubin teapot is superior to the flavour of tea brewed in any other kind of material. Tetsubin teapots are highly collectible and continue to this day to be hand-cast by master artists. They have undergone a remarkable transformation since their beginnings as simple household items, when they were transformed into elaborate works of art that are authentic reflections of the Japanese art culture.
