Tetsubin

[Chih Ting]

Does anyone know where i can buy the antique tetsubin in the US?
thank you!

[Chip]

As in unlined kettle or lined teapot. I am guessing you mean unlined kettle since you said antique.

[Chih Ting]

yes. unlined kettle one. thanks!

[MarshalN]

Ebay is your best bet. Or you can try you luck with various antique dealers, but they're pretty expensive.

[Oni]

It is way better to buy a new one from Asia, it is safer and more certain for the quality of the item. Check Hojo, ArtisticNippon, Horaido.

[MarshalN]

I think ArtisticNippon is the cheapest of these options, and I don't think there's any merit to the "New is better" theory from Hojo. If nothing else, this means that after a few months you need to buy a new one again -- which makes no sense.

[Chih Ting]

thank you. I think it is safer asking someone bring one from asia.
Once i get it, i will post the picture and let you know the result.

[Oni]

Until then read the information on Hojo`s site about tetsubins.
I bought my tetsubin from Horaido, almost all their tetsubins are made in the same region by the same kiln, they have an inside mark of 3 little hills on all of them, and when I visited a Japanese teashop and had Marukyu-Koyamaen gyokuro, they served me with water heated in the same type of tetsubin. I can say that it makes diffrent water from a normal electric induction kettle, and with chinese green teas it is a great improvement.
On word of advice is, buy hollow handled ones, those that are made by hand and not mold, otherwise it can heat up to be uncomfortable, and the ones with "insect bites" are ideal.

[Shangers]

A few photos of my new purchase. Had it sent to a friend in Tokyo who then sent it to me. Didn't want to get hit with enormous customs fees. Arrived this morning. Just in time for an early birthday present.

I think even the dogs like it.

[MarshalN]

Nice, and in China these days these tetsubins are very expensive.

[Shangers]

Nice, and in China these days these tetsubins are very expensive.

Yeah, kinda ridiculous. Some old ones can still be found for a reasonable price, but the new ones being imported are crazy priced.

I actually bought this from Hojo, who is already expensive, and it was still about 60% cheaper than anywhere on Taobao, and about 30% cheaper than in the tea markets... (I know... even Taobao is getting more expensive than some of the brick and mortar stores)... His service was stellar though, and I just couldn't bring myself to going to another Japan store after all his help.

[lamppost]

Nice, and in China these days these tetsubins are very expensive.

Yeah, kinda ridiculous. Some old ones can still be found for a reasonable price, but the new ones being imported are crazy priced.

I actually bought this from Hojo, who is already expensive, and it was still about 60% cheaper than anywhere on Taobao, and about 30% cheaper than in the tea markets... (I know... even Taobao is getting more expensive than some of the brick and mortar stores)... His service was stellar though, and I just couldn't bring myself to going to another Japan store after all his help.

Thank you for sharing. I am planning to purchase the same one. I checked some japanese sites from Tokyo and hojo site, and I noticed that his price is about 5% more or less to compare with the asking price of the other sites including the studio Suzuki Morihisa's site.

Please let me know if you guys can find a place that sells the same tetsubin cheaper. Thank you.

[Shangers]

Thought I would post an update on my tetsubin. It is my most used piece of tea equipment. At least twice everyday. As you can see, it has quite a bit of build-up. Started to rust a bit at first, then got really downy. Some of the urushi is peeling off from constant back and forth on the heating element and from the lid hitting the lip. I love it and all it's well-earned character.



And a couple bonus pics. Some Lao Man 'E maocha that I brought back from Yunnan this year. Pressed a cake for an initial test. Still have about 5kg to press pending the weather.