Tetsubin marks.

[MountainEd]

Hi, I'm wondering if some of the folks here who have several tetsubins have created a database of maker marks? Specifically, would anyone happen to know the maker who uses this mark? Thanks.

[tkellyd]

Hi MountainEd:

Well, I haven't created a database of tetsubin maker's marks, but I do have the Tetsubin Bible on hand. Unfortunately the bible doesn't have your mark in it because it's the old testament. The new testament has not been published.

But it looks like it's an Iwachu tetsubin mark. Iwachu is currently in production.

Best,

- T

[MountainEd]

Thank you, I had looked on Artistic Nippon because he has nice shots of all the marks on his pots. The one I saw from Iwachu didn't match this but it says it's by a specific artist. Perhaps other Iwachu artist's use different chops? But thank you for giving me a place to start searching. This one is on Ebay and I was just wondering about it's quality. When I search for Iwachu, I see a lot of entry level prices for them on Amazon.

[MarshalN]

Can you give us a more zoomed out shot, showing the location of the mark, etc?

[tkellyd]

Hi MountainEd:

I also was looking at that tetsubin on eBay; it's huge!

About the Hanko: if you go to zensuke.com you will see an Iwachu Hanko, albeit quite small. Possibly you can increase the size of the image. Hopefully that helps.

Best,

- T

[MountainEd]

MarshallN: Let me try something here. I hadn't posted the link to Ebay because of the restrictions here about links to folks selling items. This is my first posting on TC outside the Intro message and I was afraid someone would think the tetsubin was mine to sell, it's not. Here's the Ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-CAST-IR ... 1e74b992a0 . I can't quite see just where the mark is located, perhaps you can.

tkellyd: Yeah, it's way bigger than the little one I have, it's not too tall but huge in diameter. I'll check out the zensuke.com one right after I submit this message. Thank you for the link.

Oh yeah, I had checked out that site. It showed up when I did a search for Iwachu. But the pics were small and I didn't see any with a mark. What does Hanko mean?

Ed

[tkellyd]

A hanko is the same as a chop.

[MarshalN]

I personally won't buy this at 99. There are better options if you're patient. For a bit more you can get a much nicer one - maybe $120-150 or so. This one's... not in the best condition.

[tkellyd]

I might agree with MarshalN on this tetsubin. One problem is that the handle moves. Combined with the size of the pot, it may tip over and burn you if it is too full of water. But it's a fine pot if you want to plant things in it.

Matter of fact there is at least one Kunzan on eBay right now. Take a look.

[MountainEd]

Thanks for the advice folks. I'm not looking for a planter so I'll leave this be. I was just looking for something a bit bigger than my little 16 oz'er. I didn't see the Kunzan, what are they asking for it? I've been looking at the ones on Artistic Nippon but they are a bit out of my price range.

[tkellyd]

Hi MountainEd:

Not sure about how much work you feel like doing, but check out the two Kunzan on eBay below. The Chrysanthemum tetsubin looks ok but the inside of the second tetsubin remains to be seen. You would have to ask the seller for pictures.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370692981245?ss ... 1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-JAPANES ... 416e89eaf2

Best,

- T

[tkellyd]

One other thing, check with both of the sellers to be sure that they don't leak.

- T

[MountainEd]

One other thing, check with both of the sellers to be sure that they don't leak.

- T

Yes, that's always the first question I ask. And if the picture of the interior is too dark to tell, I ask if it's enameled. But I'm always amazed at the number of sellers on both Ebay and Etsy who don't answer questions. Not sure how they stay in business. I did have one person say that yes it is watertight, it's made of cast iron! In that vein, I love the looks of the one on Ebay that looks like a wooden bucket with metal straps. Wouldn't want to use it for tea water but it would look cool on top of a wood stove. But in the picture of the bottom, one can see what appear to be two spot welds. Too bad.

Thanks for the two links. I'm on an old-fashioned dial-up modem and it's taking awhile for the chrysanthemum pics to load. But I do see the Kunzan mark. Will check out the other one next.

[tkellyd]

I actually purchased that tetsubin for $100 but had my money refunded as the seller couldn't find the pot! When it was found it was offered to me again, but I had already bought another. It's a cute pot, but a lot of work. Plus, it needs new pins as the two screws holding it together kind of suck. Definitely a project pot.

[MountainEd]

Update: I took T's and Marshal' advice and didn't bid on the tetsubin in question. As for the 2 Kunzan's T mentioned, I didn't bid on the arare one, not my favorite style. Did bid on the other, but I set my budget at $101 including shipping and got outbid. But the little one I have works great. I use it every day for myself and will just have to keep looking for a bigger one.

By the way tkellyd, you seem to be a collecor or maybe even a restorer. At least someone who keeps tabs on tetsubin's around the web. Just out of curiosity have you inquired about that rusty old arare one on Etsy, was $29 now up to $43? Odd sort of seller.