Urushi, an exceptional teapot
This cast iron teapot was made in Morioka, Japan by the family business Iwachu. If you are a tea lover, this is an object that is both beautiful and practical and will appeal to you. Its manufacture complies with the very strict controls of food grade from Japan so you can use it with confidence (see Public Health Certificate). This is most certainly one of the best teapots on the market.
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Urushi refers to a traditional type of Japanese lacquerware. In the Maki-e style, several layers of lacquer in different colors are applied to the cast iron surface in order to beautify and protect the teapot. This process is time consuming because it takes time for each layer stabilizes and hardens through an oxidation process before applying the next one.
While the origins of the Urushi technique date back to the Neolithic period, talented artisans have perfected it over time, reaching an extraordinary level of refinement in the 16th century. Today Iwachu pays homage to this centuries-old tradition.
Each Iwachu teapot is made following an artisanal process of more than 60 steps, including:
- The interior and exterior molds are made by hand.
- Liquid iron is poured into the mold.
- When cold, the mold is broken to extract the teapot.
- All edges are filed.
- The interior part is enamelled.
- The exterior surface is painted.
- Once the paint is dry, the teapot is carefully packed.
Iwachu has been making cast iron items for over 100 years. When you buy your teapot, make sure it has the Made in Japan logo on the bottom, this is your guarantee of quality.
Did you know about green tea?
More than 1,200 years ago, the priest Saicho brought the first tea plant to Japan. Kissa Yokoji wrote in 1191: “Tea is a miraculous remedy for maintaining good health. Today, as yesterday, tea is the elixir that guides everyone who climbs the mountain of immortality.” It was first a drink reserved for the nobility, but during the Edo period (1603–1868) the tea ceremony and all the elements that accompany it, such as cast iron teapots, became very popular throughout Japan. Today, green tea is an integral part of the soul of the Land of the Rising Sun; the Japanese enjoy it at all hours.
Recommendations for use:
- Never expose the teapot to a direct flame: the enamel could be damaged.
- Never place it in the microwave or dishwasher.
- Wash it only with water; do not use abrasive materials or detergents, you could damage the interior and exterior surfaces.
Individual 300 ml teapot, cast iron, enamelled interior, with stainless steel filter.
