"Iron teapots can keep the warm of tea."

"Good oriental design!"

"Solid presence of iron teapot is luxury."

 

With these compliments, Nanbu tekki (ironware) and Yamagata casting have been popular all over the world.

For example, the cast iron teapots have been used at lounges in high-class hotels, tea salons of Mariage Freres or TWG.

 

My friends told me that they traveled overseas and found Japanese cast iron teapots.

"I saw the cast iron teapots in a select shops in L.A."

"When I ordered a cup of black tea in a hotel in Belgium, the tea was served with the cast iron teapot."

"A depart in Thailand sold Japanese cast iron teapots."

 

I got a lot of witness information around the world.

 

By the way, I would like to tell you trivia about Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting.

The difference between Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting

Both Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting have unique from and solid texture of iron.

Japan Design Store sells stylish Japanese cast iron teapots of Yamagata casting from Chushin Kobo now. We are looking for the modern Nanbu iron kettle now.

(We finally found the modern Nanbu iron kettle in 2016. See more details of Nanbu iron kettle from here: Grow your own cast iron teapot, Nanbu tetsubin)

 

I guess Nanbu ironware is more famous than Yamagata casting in the world.

 

Today, I would like to tell you about the difference between Yamagata casting and Nanbu ironware.

See more details about cast iron teapots of Yamagata casting from Chushin Kobo here.

Stylish cast iron teapot from Yamagata casting

 

The difference of Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting is the producing area and designs

First, let me introduce the common points of Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting. Both of them are made of iron, and ironware.

In addition, the manufacturing of Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting is same. The craftsmen of Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting pour high temperature metal in the mold, and take the iron out from the mold when the metal get cold.

 

Then , what is the difference?

The answer is the producing area and designs.

 

First, the main producing area of Nanbu ironware is Morioka in Iwate prefecture.

The producing area of Yamagata casting is Yamagata prefecture.

 

Both of the brands have long history and traditional high skill of craftsmen.

However, Nabu ironware become more famous than Yamagata casting from the following reasons.

・Iwate prefecture produced good iron.

・As Iwate prefecture was a good iron producing area, the Hanshu (mayor) of Nanbu han (clan) encouraged the casting as an industry.

 

Next, Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting are different from their designs.

Nanbu ironware has gorgeous and decorative design. On the other hand, Yamagata casting is characterized with simple designs.

The motifs of Nanbu ironware are familiar motifs like "arare" and "tonbo." You can see the motif on the surface of cast iron teapots of Nanbu ironware.

Recently, Nanbu ironware is producing colorful teapots like pink or white with the patterns of sakura (cherry blossom) or ume (Japanese plum).

 

On the contrary, Yamagata casting designs their cast iron with simple design.

 

Nanbu ironware has stylish  and cute looking, and Yamagata casting has simple and modern design.

Comparing to the Nanbu ironware, Yamagata casting is not gorgeous and plain. However, polished simple design teapot does not make you tired even you use it every day. As many times as you use it, the iron surface changes. You can enjoy the changing surface.

Well-used cast iron teapots become better

Do you understand the difference between Nanbu ironware and Yamagata casting?

 

The origin of Yamagata casting is Heian era in Japan, it means 950 years before!

Recently, cast iron teapots have been popular in the world, but you can see the long history and inherited skill make the Japanese cast iron teapots special.

 

There are some tips for using ironware like wipe the water off after using. But please imagine that those care were natural for Japanese people in the past.

The contemporary life, we do not have any chance to doing that kind of customs. You can feel Japanese wonderful culture such as "have a slow time with slow green tea" and "use utensils regularly and make them well-used.

 

Today's recommended items

・Slim cast iron teapot of Yamagata casting : Cast iron teapot / Marudutsu S / Chusin Kobo

・Cute cast iron teapot of Yamagata casting : Cast iron teapot / Marutama S/ Chusin Kobo