Teapots: Japanese Tetsubin

The tetsubin cast-iron teapot began as a humble implement in Japanese kitchens. It was used to boil water over the hearth to provide both heat and humidity. It was also used to boil tea water because many tea drinkers favored the taste of water boiled in cast iron. Around the mid 1800’s, tetsubin pots became ornate status symbols and were integrated into the artful and elaborate Japanese tea ceremonies where they continue to play a small but important role.

Today, tetsubin teapots are still made of cast-iron, but most interiors are coated with an enamel glaze to prevent rusting. Tetsubin pots are typically small and hold only two cups of tea. It is interesting to note that the decoration on a tetsubin pot is generally placed so the spout points to the right when viewing the design.

Tetsubin teapots reflect a cultural and historic tradition in Japanese art where function meets design and both are thereby enhanced.

View the tetsubin collection of the California Academy of Sciences here .