Nambu Ironware, Iron Kettle, MARUGATA UROKO ARARE, 1.1L, Shokado by Traditional Craftsman Shingo Kikuchi

Allow us to present a unique Tetsubin that hails not from Oitomi, but rather from the craftsmanship of Shingo Kikuchi (菊池真吾), a traditional artisan based in Shokado. His atelier is situated in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, the same locale as our own.

The appellation of "traditional craftsman" carries official recognition by the Japanese government, signifying those who possess and uphold advanced techniques and skills. Among the limited ranks of traditional craftsmen in Nambu Ironware, Shingo Kikuchi stands as a prominent figure. In 2015, one of his iron kettles was presented to Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church — a testament to his standing as a master craftsman of the modern era.

Nambu ironware is meticulously forged through two distinctive methodologies: Nama-gata, involving sand molds, and Yaki-gata, characterized by molds fashioned from baked clay. This Tetsubin, shaped by the Yaki-gata technique, emerges as an exceedingly rare creation, with only a few pieces being attainable from a single mold.

Its circular and endearing silhouette is adorned with the Uroko-arare pattern. The lid, too, features an exquisite pine cone motif adorning its edge.

The term "UROKO" denotes a pattern constituted by continuous arrangements of equilateral or isosceles triangles, symbolizing "scales" in Japanese. This nomenclature stems from the interconnected triangles, resembling the scales of a fish. Noteworthy for its popularity on iron kettles, this pattern also graces the design of kimono fabrics.

Within, a technique known as kama-yaki imparts an oxidized film to the interior, meticulously achieved without the application of any paint. Some sections may exhibit reddish hues, a natural consequence of the kama-yaki process.

While this Tetsubin may command a higher price point compared to its counterparts, its distinction arises from the Yaki-gata method, its bold and traditional aesthetic compositions, and the intimate inscription of the traditional craftsman, "南部 真吾" (Nambu Shingo), ensuring that this special Tetsubin shall remain your lifelong companion.

Please note that this item is also available at our physical store, with stock availability potentially varying based on timing. Kindly acknowledge that there might be instances where an ordered item is temporarily out of stock.

Additionally, we kindly advise that due to the handmade nature of each piece, subtle divergences may exist between the actual product and the photographs.