Nambu Tekki

Sturdy and built to last

Nambu Tekki is cast iron with an image of plain, sturdy strength that lasts for years. Tea-ceremony kettles and tetsubin iron kettles carry many designs, above all the arare pattern of neat raised dots, like hailstones. It is made in Morioka and Oshu in Iwate, and was among the first crafts designated in 1975.

Moulds, patterns and fire

• Iron is cast in traditional baked or dried moulds.
• Patterns such as arare dots are pressed into the mould, and the surface texture is beaten in.
• A step unique to Nambu Tekki, kanake-dome, protects against rust: the kettle sits in a charcoal fire of about 900°C for around 30 minutes.
• The piece is coloured and finished with natural urushi lacquer.

From the Nanbu domain

In the early 17th century the Nanbu domain, which ruled the Morioka area, invited tea-kettle makers from Kyoto. It went on to bring casters from many places to make arms, kettles and daily goods. The famous tetsubin began in the 18th century as a smaller, handier version of the tea-ceremony kettle. Oshu, then under the Date domain, also cast daily goods. After the Meiji era the two areas shared techniques, and from the 1950s and 60s ironware from both came to be called Nambu Tekki.