Japanese Tetsukyusu Cast Iron Teapot (鉄急須 iron teapot) - Arare Pattern

Japanese Tetsukyusu Cast Iron Teapot (鉄急須 iron teapot) - Arare Pattern. (Arare (霰) means hail or hailstones in Japanese.) A Tetsukyusu tea pot looks outwardly like a Tetsubin. There is a major difference between a Tetsubin and a Tetsukyusu. The inside of the Tetsukyusu is glazed with enamel to make it more practical for tea brewing and is equipped with a removable tea strainer. Tetsukyusu cannot be used to heat water because this would irremediably damage the enamel coating inside. Preheated water must be used, Although these expressions are often employed interchangeably, a Tetsubin is not to be confused with a Tetsukyusu. The latter is only used for brewing tea, but not for boiling water. A Tetsubin is needed for boiling water, but not for brewing tea. The region of Tohoku is best known for producing Tetsubin and Tetsukyusu tea pots. Previously employed to create weapons, iron casters settled in the Tohoku region of Japan This tea pot measures approx. 5 1/2" from spout to back of pot x 5" diameter x 5 1/2" H to top of handle. The pot with lid, excluding the handle, measures approx. 3 1/4" H. Capacity of approx. 12 oz. (1 1/2 Cups). There are Japanese symbols directly under the spout and with Google Translator loosely translates the symbols to mean Elegance in Iron. This tea pot is in excellent condition. It features the Arare Pattern and a stainless strainer. The inside enamel is in excellent condition. The lid is decorated with bamboo leaves and flowers.