Iron Kettle Santama

Nanbu ironware (Nanbu tekki in Japanese) was first developed in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). These iron kettles, favored by feudal lords who enjoyed the tea ceremony, gained a reputation for delivering boiled water with a mellow taste, and are now known throughout the world.

The lustrous black cast surface, designed in the shape of an abacus ball, is created by pouring molten iron into an elaborately made mold. The iron kettle is fired with charcoal and then burnished with lacquer to finish, which prevents it from rusting. The everlasting beauty stemming from the wisdom and skills of our ancestors has been further refined through the dedication of modern craftsmen, and will continue to be passed on for generations to come.