Japanese cast iron kettles 鉄瓶

What is a tetsubin?

A tetsubin, written 鉄瓶 in Japanese, is a cast iron kettle: a cast body with a pouring spout, a lid, and a handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking, most often so there is water hot enough for the tea. Traditionally it is heated over charcoal, and in the tea ceremony the portable brazier it sits on has its own name, binkake. One account traces the shape to the tedorigama, a spouted and handled water kettle from the era of the tea master Sen no Rikyū. During the 19th century, tetsubin were considered status symbols more than functional kitchen goods.

What is the difference between a cast iron kettle and a cast iron teapot?

The difference is the job, not the metal. A tetsubin boils water and sits on the heat. A cast iron teapot is called tetsukyusu (鉄急須) in Japanese to make a distinction from the kettle: it is glazed with enamel on the inside to make it practical for brewing tea directly. It often comes with a tea strainer that fits inside, and it cannot be used to heat water because that would break the enamel coating. On our shelf the split is plain: the kettles are built to go on the stove and the teapot stays at the table. The lining alone is not the test, because every kettle here is enamel lined too; the test is what the description rates the piece for.

Can a cast iron kettle go on the stove?

Yes, and for more heat sources than the charcoal image suggests. Nambu guidance pushes back on that image directly: many people think an iron kettle must be boiled over charcoal, but gas works fine. Our listings rate each model precisely. Doraemon, Haru, Sakura and Tetu are listed for gas, induction and charcoal fires. The plain 1000 ml kettle and the Hoju are listed as gas or direct fire only. The Tetu's description adds that an IH unit of 200V or higher should be kept at low to medium heat. None of that extends to the teapot: the Pine & Crane is for use as a teapot only and is not suitable for direct heating, so the water is boiled elsewhere and poured in. Every listing says to use potholders, because the iron runs hot.

What kettles do we carry?

Every piece here is Ikenaga Nambu ironware with an enamel interior. The Hoju kettle is the smallest at 600 ml and $288.00, a gently rounded form whose name means treasured longevity, listed for gas or direct fire. Two kettles sit at 1000 ml: the plain Nambu ironware kettle at $348.60 is listed for gas or direct fire, and the Tetu at $470.40 is shaped by furniture designer Makoto Koizumi with a handle that folds down and rated for gas, induction and charcoal. Three 1200 ml kettles share the same heat ratings and fixed handles: Haru and Sakura at $348.60 and the Doraemon at $479.20. Off the stove sits the Pine & Crane teapot at $244.00: 550 ml, with a strainer in the box and a handle that folds down, and pine and crane motifs the listing names as symbols of good fortune and longevity. Several listings add two notes on the outside: wiping the iron with a cloth while it is still hot brings up its lustre, and handmade pieces may show some scratches or unevenness.

Where does our ironware come from?

Every piece on this page is described as Nambu ironware. Nambu tekki is the cast iron craft of Morioka City and Oshu City in Iwate. It began in the early 17th century when the Nanbu clan invited tea kettle makers from Kyoto to Morioka, and the craft received its first designation as a traditional craft in 1975. Wikipedia names Iwate and Yamagata as the prefectures best known for producing tetsubin and iron teapots alike. The maker behind our shelf is worth stating precisely: Ikenaga Iron Works describes itself as having walked with Japanese iron for more than 80 years, casting Nambu ironware while building its SWAN brand ice shavers at its own Osaka factory since 1950. The full company history, including where its head office sits, is in our Ikenaga guide. A bare iron kettle arrives protected by a rust prevention step that originated with the Nambu iron kettle, firing the piece over charcoal at roughly 800 to 1,000 degrees Celsius to grow a magnetic oxide coating. Every piece on this page is enamel lined instead, and our cast iron teaware care guide covers how that changes first use, washing and rust.

How do you choose a cast iron kettle?

Start with the job. To boil water you want a kettle that is rated for your heat source: induction rules out the plain 1000 ml kettle and the Hoju, which are listed for gas or direct fire. To brew tea leaves you want a brewing pot, and the kettle stays on the stove making the water. Then take the size you will actually run through, since the shelf covers 600 ml to 1200 ml. Two details people notice too late: only the Tetu and the Pine & Crane have handles that fold down, and every handle gets hot regardless. If you are setting up for tea, our kyusu guide covers the teapots built for brewing and our teacup guide covers what the tea gets poured into; the cast iron cookware side of the same maker is in our pans and pots guide.

Quick answers

The questions we are asked most about cast iron kettles and teapots, answered briefly.

What is a tetsubin? A tetsubin is a Japanese cast iron kettle with a pouring spout, a lid and a handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking, usually for making tea.

What is the difference between a cast iron kettle and a cast iron teapot? A kettle is made to boil water on the stove. A cast iron teapot is called tetsukyusu in Japanese: it is glazed with enamel inside for brewing tea and often has a strainer, and it cannot be used to heat water because that would break the enamel coating.

Can a cast iron teapot go on the stove? Not a brewing teapot. Our Pine & Crane 550 ml teapot is listed for use as a teapot only and is not suitable for direct heating, so the water is boiled elsewhere and poured in.

Which of your kettles work on an induction stove? Doraemon, Haru, Sakura and Tetu are all listed for gas, induction and charcoal fires. The plain 1000 ml kettle and the Hoju 600 ml are listed as gas or direct fire only, so check the description before you buy.

Is Nambu ironware made in Iwate? Yes, that is the craft's home. Nambu ironware began in the early 17th century when the Nanbu clan invited tea kettle makers from Kyoto to Morioka, and Morioka City and Oshu City remain its main manufacturing areas. Our Ikenaga kettles are sold as Nambu ironware in that tradition; our Ikenaga guide covers where the company itself is based.