A World Of Leaves: The Tetsubin's Place In Tea History

The Tetsubin has a long and rich history as an integral part of Japan's story of tea. This vessel is a cast iron kettle thought to have come into use sometime in the 17th century when drinking whole leaf tea attained popularity in Japanese culture. Though it is now an accepted part of chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony or Way of Tea, it began as a means of protest on the part of ancient Japan's literati. Up until that time, the consumption of powdered tea was the accepted form during the tea ceremony, and restricted to those who could afford the costly implements for properly brewing and serving the beverage.

Drinking tea brewed from whole leaves was then in vogue in China, but was more closely associated with medicinal treatments in Japan during the 17th century. Consonant with that fashion, the tea ceremony favored ladling of hot water from a large, free-standing vessel over powdered tea in a smaller pot with neither handle nor spout, which was not convenient for boiling the dried leaves of tea. It is thought that the tetsubin is thought to be preceded in form by several of the more commonly used water kettles. In its most basic form, this tea pot is cast of iron and was likely intended to sit over a fire all day, so that a cup of tea might be enjoyed at a moment's notice.

Just as in other cultures with implements that began as common utensils of everyday life, this tea pot eventually acquired a reputation. Evermore elaborate decoration on these kettles became a sign of the owner's status or the status to which they aspired. Throughout the 18th century, the vessel acquired ubiquity in the homes of all people as a means to heat water, brew tea, and even create warmth. However, mirroring the aesthetic shifts in the general world of Japanese art, this common kettle also became subject to ornamental flourishes. Even as it remained a fixture in every home, the more elaborately designed kettles claimed higher prices. To own a fine example of this kettle art and exhibit it to guests was to indicate your status and your dedication to chanoyu, a central mark of esteem, respect, and status shown to a guest.

While these kettles are not necessarily as ubiquitous in today's tea ceremony, they are internationally recognized for their cultural affiliation with Japanese tea drinking. Hence, they are extremely popular among those not of that ethnic origin. A number of tea merchants market tea sets incorporating this theme-form in order to invoke authenticity to objects of modern manufacture. Because these kettles retain their usefulness and functionality, it is likely they will never completely be displaced from tea-drinking culture.


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Karen Davis is a Yixing Teapot enthusiast. She is the founder of Brownstoneshopper, an online webstore that sells Yixing teapots, tetsubins and tea. Her webstore has been helping people find information about the tetsubin. Visit us now at http://www.brownstoneshopper.com


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