DESCRIPTION
We would like to introduce a special Tetsubin that is not made by Oitomi. This Tetsubin is made by Shingo Kikuchi (菊池真吾), a traditional craftsman from Shokado, whose studio is located in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, the same city as ours.
Traditional craftsman is a title officially recognized by the Japanese government, certifying craftsmen who maintain advanced techniques and skills. There are only a few dozen traditional craftsmen of Nambu Ironware, and Shingo Kikuchi is one of them. Nambu ironware is made using two methods: the Nama-gata, in which molds are made from sand, and the Yaki-gata, in which molds are made by baking clay. Since this Tetsubin is made by the Yaki-gata method, only a few pieces can be made from a single mold. Therefore, it is very rare.
The shape known as "Natsume-gata (Jujube Style)" is named after the traditional Japanese tea caddy, Natsume, and is crafted to resemble its form.
The front of the kettle bears the image of a dragon — rendered with a deliberate restraint that recalls the spirit of suibokuga, Japanese ink wash painting. Where many artists assert the dragon's presence through bold, singular form, Kikuchi takes a different path. His dragon exists within an atmosphere: one of moisture, depth, and quiet tension — the layered language of classical ink painting, where space, time, temperature, and humidity all speak alongside the subject itself.
It is this sensibility — the understanding that a subject is defined not only by its own form, but by everything that surrounds it — that reveals the true depth of Kikuchi's artistry. In deliberate contrast, the knob is rendered with striking force: the claw of a dragon grasping a hōju, the sacred jewel. This bold counterpoint anchors the composition, bringing the whole into balance.
The inside is coated with an oxidized film using a technique called kama-yaki, and no paint is used at all. This Tetsubin is more expensive than other Tetsubin. However, with the Yaki-gata method, bold and traditional aesthetic compositions, and the personal inscription of the traditional craftsman, "南部 真吾" (Nambu Shingo), this special Tetsubin will be your partner for life.
Materials
To make tea and coffee great
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
International Shipping Available
All items are eligible for international shipping.
Items are manufactured after receiving orders and will be shipped from Japan in about 1-2 months(Maximum 3 months for items labeled "made-to-order").
The schedule may be revised depending on destination countries, shipping companies, and changes of customs rules.
NO SURPRISES AT YOUR DOOR
The total you see at checkout is the total you pay. Every order includes the product price, shipping, and all import duties and taxes for your country — calculated upfront, with full
transparency.
We ship internationally with DHL Express under Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). The duties and taxes for your destination are determined automatically at checkout based on your address and the items in
your order, so there's nothing extra to settle when your package arrives.
Customs duty and tax rates are set by each destination country's authorities and may change over time. The amount calculated at checkout reflects the rates available to us on the day of your
order.
If a delivery is refused, unclaimed, or returned due to an incorrect address, related carrier charges remain the buyer's responsibility. Please double-check your shipping details before
completing your order.
