Cast Iron Teapots

About

Cast Iron Teapot Production When cast iron teapots are mentioned, we tend to think of Nambu ironware or Nambu tetsubin. Nambu ironware originated in Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868) in the region under the control of the Nambu Han, i.e., the area centered around Morioka. Nambu ironware developed from tea kettle production. Ironware produced in a number of other areas is also called Nambu ironware, including that of Mizusawa and today's Iwate prefecture. At the Taiwan International Tea Culture Expo held in late-2010 in Taipei, the Mizusawa Casting Industry Cooperative, led by chairmen Oikawa Takashi, exhibited Nambu ironware to great acclaim. Iwate prefecture is rich in iron ore and other raw materials used in the production of ironware and also produces significant quantities of paint, charcoal, and clay. The area benefitted from the protection of the Nambu Han. All of these factors provided this area with a fertile environment for development of ironware production, and to this day it is still known for Nambu ironware. Previous articles on this subject focused on the growth of Nambu ironware and on introducing master casters. We hope these articles have helped fellow teapot lovers develop an understanding of the heritage and culture of these cast iron pots. This article is intended to help readers further understand the difficulty involved in producing fine ironware. Although we have not personally produced any ironware, we will attempt to introduce tetsubin production from the materials we have collected. Production Process In general, cast iron teapot production applies the following procedure: (1) Design and composition; (2) Wooden mold production; (3) Spout and lid production; (4) Casting mold, production; (5) Casting and pouring; (6) Removal and sand stripping; and (7) Coloring and handle application. (1) Design and Composition The first step in cast iron pot production is to determine the shape and decorative features of the pot. In general, it is firs