Antique Japanese Tea Kettle, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-696-1

Japanese Chagama Tea Kettle | Antique Living Room Accent & Wabi-Sabi Decor, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-696-1

A rare Taisho-period tetsubin chagama with a distinctive flared collar, richly textured iron body, and a polished bronze lid -- preserved with its original wooden storage box.

A chagama is a traditional Japanese cast-iron water kettle used in the formal tea ceremony (chado) to heat water directly over a charcoal brazier set into the floor of the tea room. Unlike the more familiar tetsubin, the chagama has no handle or spout -- it is designed purely for simmering, its open mouth releasing a gentle steam that humidifies the room and sets the meditative atmosphere of the ceremony. This example displays the hallmarks of fine Japanese antique ironwork: a deeply textured, sand-cast surface in rich reddish-brown tones, a pronounced flared collar (natsume-kuchire) with a raised dot-band encircling the shoulder, a scalloped iron base ring, and a pair of small ring lugs for lifting with iron tongs. The smooth, dark-lacquered bronze lid -- likely a replacement or later addition -- contrasts beautifully with the rugged iron body, a pairing common in connoisseur collections. The accompanying inscribed wooden tomobako (storage box) attests to the kettle's provenance and collectible status.

Today, this handcrafted Japanese chagama makes a commanding living room accent or wabi-sabi aesthetic centerpiece on a low shelf, sideboard, or tokonoma-inspired display nook. Its monumental, sculptural silhouette suits Japandi style interiors, where the interplay of raw texture and refined form is prized above all. Displayed on a natural wood or stone surface alongside dried botanicals or a simple scroll, it brings an unmistakable sense of age and calm to any space -- an exceptional gift for collectors, tea ceremony enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to authentic Japanese antique decor.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Cast iron body; polished bronze or lacquered metal lid; inscribed wooden storage box (tomobako)
• Use: Chado (tea ceremony) water kettle, used to heat water over a sunken charcoal hearth (ro or furo)
• Modern Use: Wabi-sabi living room accent; Japandi style shelf or sideboard display; statement decorative object for a tokonoma-inspired vignette
• Features: Flared collar form with raised dot-band at shoulder; small ring lugs on either side; scalloped wide-brim base ring; deeply textured sand-cast exterior surface; smooth domed lid with ball finial; includes inscribed tomobako wooden storage box
• Dimensions: 9"W x 10"D x 9"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- significant surface oxidation and patina consistent with age and use; interior shows residue typical of a used kettle; lid in excellent condition; wooden box intact with brush inscription.

A rare and evocative piece of Japanese antique teaware that carries over a century of tea ceremony tradition into the 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.