Kukan Chuzo Teapot Egg

Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region is known for several things but for most Japanese, the really famous ones are the wanko soba noodles eaten in many small bowls and the tetsubin cast-iron kettles used for preparing water for tea. The Kukan Chuzo Teapot Egg comes from this long tradition of Nanbu-style cast ironware, though isn't for boiling water but for brewing and serving tea. Technically, then, it's not a tetsubin but a tetsukyusu – or iron teapot. Even if you don't care about getting the name right, you can't but agree that it is beautiful!

A combination of traditional craftsmanship with modern design, something the Japanese do extremely well, the Kukan Chuzo Teapot Egg comes in a slightly oval shape with a lacquered wood lid instead of the usual iron one, and in two sizes: one with a capacity of 450 ml (15.2 fl oz) and another of 250 ml (8.5 fl oz). Like all tetsukyusu, it has an enamel-coated inside, plus the Kukan Chuzo Teapot Egg comes with a tea strainer so you can start brewing tea the moment you take it out of the box!

Specs and Features:

• Made in Iwate Prefecture, home of Nanbu/Nambu ironware
• Enamel-coated inside
• Sizes: small, medium
• Small diameter: 92 mm (3.6")
• Small capacity: 250 ml (8.5 fl oz)
• Medium diameter: 110 mm (4.3")
• Medium capacity: 450 ml (15.2 fl oz)
• Materials: iron (lacquer coated), wood
• Comes with tea strainer
• Not compatible with microwave oven, dishwasher, or dryer