Nanbu Tekki – Metal Teapots from Japan

Nanbu Tekki, are iron teapots dating from the early 17th century, when the feudal lord of the Nanbu area, who ruled in the present city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, invited several chagama, or iron craftsmen, from Kyoto.
After this, various craftsmen specializing in the production and forging of teapots were invited to Nanbu from all over Japan, and they engaged in the production of teapots, articles of daily life, and weapons.
At that time Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate (feudal government) which kept the peace for many years. Under his administration, the population preferred culture to the sword. In the Nanbu area, interest in literature and the art of tea spread widely, increasing activities related to them, including the tea ceremony.

This led to the fact that in the Nanbu area, the artisans and blacksmiths dedicated to the production of teapots had a lot of work and received protection for a long time. Later, one of these Nanbu artisans developed an iron teapot that was easier to use, and it gained much popularity as a home-made teapot.
The creation of this iron teapot prompted the production of other items used during the tea ceremony that became more common in daily life. Over time, the production of teapots in the Nanbu area was further cemented, becoming a well-established industry that is still going strong today.

In Iwate Prefecture, which is rich in iron and coal, iron items have been a part of daily life since before the Edo period (17th to 19th century). Even today, Iwate is still rich in natural resources, which helps sustain the Nanbu Tekki industry. A protected and admired Iwate tradition that is in the daily life of many Japanese families.