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Nambu ironware

Nambu Ironware

Cast-iron kettles (tetsubin) from Japan, from miniatures to 1 L, that soften water and hold heat — plus the tea tools that go beside them.

Cast-iron kettles (tetsubin) Miniature tetsubin Tea tools

Nambu ironware (nambu tekki) is traditional cast ironware from northern Japan; a tetsubin is a cast-iron kettle that softens water, adds a little iron to it and holds heat well.

What we keep

Boil water in a tetsubin and it comes out rounder and a touch sweeter, with a little iron in it. We keep miniatures in colour, arare (hail-dot) and larger kettles from about 0.3 to 1 L, alongside tea whisks and tools — the most quietly impressive thing to carry home from Japan.

A few favourites

From the shelves

0.9 L tetsubin — sakura pattern

¥6,000

Miniature tetsubin (colours)

¥1,850

Tea whisk (chasen)

¥1,500

Shown as examples of the range. Designs and colours change with each delivery.

○ In stock · △ Few left, please ask · × Awaiting restock

Living with a tetsubin

Rinse with hot water only — never soap — and dry it over the last of the heat so no water sits inside. Used and dried this way, a good tetsubin builds a protective interior and lasts for decades.

Buying for a restaurant

Enough to use, honestly counted

Stocked in multiples so a restaurant can actually use them. Some are one-of-a-kind; larger matching sets depend on what is in stock, so please ask us to check first.

Check stock

Ask before you come

Tell us the piece and the quantity and we will check what is on the shelf.

Contact us →
Ship overseas

We ship home for you

Buy in store and we can send it to your country — ask us about shipping.

Overseas shipping →
Visit

Akihabara & Namba

Every piece is out to pick up and turn over in the hand at both stores.

Store details →

See it in person

The colour and weight only make sense in the hand. Come and choose yours.

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