Antique Japanese Iron Kettle, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-120 (26M-120-5)

Japanese Tetsubin Iron Kettle | Antique Tea Ceremony Pot & Wabi-Sabi Decor Accent, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-120-5

A boldly textured cast iron kettle with basket-weave relief, iron ring handles, and its original fitted lid -- a rare survivor of the Japanese tea ceremony tradition.

A tetsubin is a traditional Japanese cast iron kettle used to boil water for the chado tea ceremony, prized for the way iron slowly enriches the water and deepens the flavor of the tea. This handsome example, dating to the Early Showa period, is cast entirely in iron and features an all-over basket-weave (ajiro) relief pattern covering the upper body -- a motif drawn from the aesthetic vocabulary of woven bamboo craft and long associated with rustic elegance in Japanese antique teaware. The wide, flanged shoulder gives way to a smooth, rounded lower body, and a pair of cast ring handles sit on either side, used in the original tea room setting to lift the kettle from the ro (sunken hearth) or furo (portable brazier). The flat circular lid is cast with a fine hammered texture and crowned with a bud-form knob, which the close-up images reveal to be a beautifully modeled multi-lobed finial. The flat, undecorated base -- fully visible in the images -- confirms solid single-piece casting consistent with quality Japanese antique ironwork of this period.

Today, this handcrafted Japanese iron kettle makes a striking living room accent or home office display piece for collectors drawn to the wabi-sabi aesthetic. Displayed on a wooden shelf or beside a low chabudai table, it brings an immediate sense of depth and history to Japandi-style interiors. The open vessel (shown without its lid) could also serve as a sculptural planter for a small succulent or air plant, or as a desktop organizer for pens and brushes. A compelling gift for collectors of Japanese antiques or anyone who appreciates the quiet beauty of traditional Japanese craft, this piece carries nearly a century of patina and presence in a compact, tactile form.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Cast iron
• Use: Tetsubin iron kettle for boiling water in the Japanese tea ceremony (chado); used over a ro or furo heat source
• Modern Use: Sculptural living room or home office accent; decorative planter for small succulents or air plants; desktop organizer for pens and brushes
• Features: All-over ajiro (basket-weave) relief pattern on upper body; smooth rounded lower body; cast ring handles on opposing sides; flat hammered-texture lid with multi-lobed bud finial; flat undecorated base; rich dark iron patina with warm rust tones throughout
• Dimensions: 6"W x 6"D x 6"H
• Condition: Good antique condition consistent with age and use; heavy surface patina and oxidation throughout; structurally sound with no visible cracks

A rare and tactile piece of Japanese antique teaware that brings the wabi-sabi spirit of the traditional tea ceremony into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.