Nanbu-tekki

Cast iron kettles and cookware from Iwate, prized for durability and heat retention.

Nanbu-tekki is a cast iron craft from Iwate Prefecture, with a tradition spanning over 900 years in the cities of Morioka and Oshu. The iconic tetsubin (iron kettles) are prized for improving water quality by releasing trace amounts of iron and producing a smoother, sweeter taste in tea. Cast using intricate sand molds, each piece features distinctive surface textures such as arare (hailstone) patterns. Nanbu ironware has gained significant international recognition for its beauty and functional excellence.