Iron Sand Kettle / Rain Dragon (Ama-ryu)

Each casting is handmade by skilled craftsmen.
It is a mystical gem with a dragon design.

The "rain dragon" refers to a water spirit that brings blessed rain, and it was believed that this rain dragon would bring rain. Dragons are said to bridge the gap between gods and humans, and as sacred creatures, they are sometimes deified and enshrined in shrines and Buddhist temples. The rain dragon design is one of the most popular designs used not only on castings, but also on ceramics, kimonos, and many other items!

The clean form of the thin fabric and the beautiful sandy-grained casting surface make it a visually and functionally appealing product with good heat conductivity.
The simple, lean design has a universal beauty that is at home at any dining table, while inheriting the spirit of chanoyu (tea ceremony). Inheriting the items used by grandparents and parents and using them for a long time will bring memories of those who have used them. Because of its longevity, one of the characteristics of cast metal is the ability to cherish things and enjoy their background.

It is said that iron kettles made of iron sand can be used for 100 years. There are not many craftsmen in the world who produce tetsubin made of such iron sand.
The reason for this is that Japan originally had no access to iron and could only produce iron kettles using iron sand.
As a result, we were able to acquire unique techniques based on this background.
It is recommended not only for daily use but also for interior decoration.
Water boiled in an iron kettle has a mild taste and is very tasty, and you can also consume iron with a high absorption rate.
We hope you will use it to build a healthy body.

Width：17cm
Depth：15cm
Height：21.5cm
Weight：1,794g

Iron Sand

STUDIO ARAI

"A traditional craft that is different from mass-produced products"

While each part of a casting is made by a division of labor, our workshop adopts an integrated manufacturing process that makes everything. We make everything from the materials to the design to create a work of art that we are satisfied with. This approach is very rare, and we produce casting every day with the desire to keep traditional crafts alive.

ARTISAN STORY

Mikio Arai / Arai Koubou
They have started business in 1972. The business began with the casting of machine parts by the previous generation and the production of crafts by his wife, Fumiko Arai, and has continued to the present day with a focus on handmade small-lot production. In the Heisei Era (1990s), members of the royal family visited the workshop privately and created bronze works. The quality of our work is one of the best in Japan, and we have delivered several pieces to the Imperial Household as gifts.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Received the International Prize for Culture and the Arts
・Multiple deliveries of imperial gifts

YAMAGATA IMONO / YAMAGATA CAST METALWARE

About 950 years ago / 1000s / Heian Period

Yamagata casting is traditionally traced back roughly nine to ten centuries, when metalworkers traveling with the forces of Minamoto no Yoriyoshi discovered that sand and earth around the Mamigasaki River were ideal for molds and settled in the area. In the early Edo period, Mogami Yoshiaki concentrated foundries in the district now known as Domachi.

In Japan, Yamagata casting is known for thin walls and refined surfaces on kettles, tea-ceremony cauldrons, vases and temple bells. The same region also produces industrial castings, so traditional craft and modern manufacturing exist literally side by side.

The mold itself is made from sand rather than metal. Fine sand is compacted and patterned with tools before molten metal above 1,000°C is poured in. Because the mold must be broken to remove the finished object, the carefully prepared negative form is normally used only once.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.