Legacy of Koizumi Nizaemon | The First Name in Nanbu Tetsubin (南部铁瓶)
Forged in 1659. Perfected over 11 generations. [下面有中文】
For over 360 years, the Koizumi family, based in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, has been the exclusive kettle makers to the Lords of the Nanbu Domain. They are the founders and pioneers of Nanbu Kama (南部釜) and Nanbu Tetsubin (南部铁瓶) — the very origin of Japan’s most celebrated cast-iron tea kettles.
Today, under the craftsmanship of 11th-generation master Koizumi Nizaemon (小泉仁左衛門 ), Koizumi Takahiro-san, this tradition continues unbroken, combining ancient wisdom with modern precision, handcrafted entirely in Japan with unmatched dedication to form, function, and artistry.
🔥 Where Nanbu Iron Was Born
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In 1659, Lord Nanbu Shigenao summoned Koizumi Gorouhachi, a renowned kettle master from Kyoto, to establish iron casting in the Nanbu Domain.
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This marked the birth of Nanbu Kama, and later, in circa 1750, the third-generation Koizumi created the first Tetsubin kettle with a handle and spout, shaping the Japanese tea culture for centuries to come.
🛠️ The Craft of Perfection
Each Okamaya kettle undergoes over 100 meticulous steps, all performed by hand by Koizumi Nizaemon and his son, Koizumi Takehiro. Whether cast from traditional iron or the rare refined sand iron (Satetsu) from Edo-period Kanei Tsuho coins, every kettle is a masterpiece of balance, water quality, and timeless design.
Their Satetsu kettles are particularly prized for:
- Superior purity and resistance to rust
- A soft, sweet water profile ideal for tea and cooking
- A clear bell-like tone when the lid meets the rim — a mark of excellence
- Availability in natural-polished silver or black lacquer (Johoji urushi + Ohaguro) finishes
🌍 A Global Icon with Deep Local Roots
Even as collectors and connoisseurs from around the world seek out Okamaya ironworks, the Koizumi family remains deeply tied to their regional legacy in Iwate. They have become symbols of Japan’s intangible cultural heritage, with their tetsubin exhibited in national museums, and used by tea masters and collectors alike.
While global demand has surged — especially from China, Europe, and the US — Koizumi Nizaemon remains committed to quality over quantity, often requiring up to 12-24 months to fulfill custom orders.
🧬 More Than a Kettle — A Legacy
Whether for a tea ceremony, modern kitchen, or personal collection, an Okamaya tetsubin is not just a utensil — it is a living sculpture, a vessel of heritage, and a daily ritual of elegance and purity.
Read more (by Nippon.com)
A Tradition Ironed Out over the Years: The Cast-iron Creations of Okamaya
小泉仁左卫门 | 南部铁瓶的开山祖师
始于1659，传承11代，360余年的匠心不辍
在日本岩手县盛冈市，有一间名为「御釜屋（Okamaya）」的老字号铸铁工坊，自1659年由京都铁器匠人小泉五郎八受南部藩主南部重直公之邀迁入盛冈，铸造茶釜，自此开启了**南部釜（Nanbu Kama）**的历史。
到了18世纪中叶（约1750年），第三代小泉仁左卫门发明了日本历史上第一把带提梁与壶嘴的铁壶，自此，“南部铁瓶（南部鉄瓶）”正式诞生。如今，这项技艺由第十一代传人——小泉仁左卫门与其子小泉岳広共同传承并发扬光大。
🔨 匠艺精魂 · 一壶百工
每一把御釜屋铁壶，都由父子二人亲手完成，全流程需超过100道工序。其铁壶分为：
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传统铸铁壶：实用美观，适合日常煮水泡茶。
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高级砂铁壶：以江户时代“寛永通宝”砂铁地金冶炼而成，采用御釜屋秘传工艺去除杂质，具有：
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极高纯度与抗氧化性
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煮水甘甜柔滑
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壶盖与壶口摩擦时会发出清脆悦耳的“金属铃音”
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可选“银色原抛光”或“黑漆＋御齿黑”两种传统涂装
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📈 世界名品 · 岩手匠魂
尽管现今御釜屋的铁瓶已被世界各地收藏家所追捧（尤以中国、欧美为甚），但工坊始终坚持手工限量制作，甚至可能需要等待12 至 24个月以上方可定制完成。
他们是日本南部铁器（Nanbu Tekki）品牌的代表，更被誉为“官窑中的官窑”，其作品被日本国家博物馆珍藏，亦为众多茶道宗师指定茶会用壶。
🌸 一壶在手 · 传承百年
一把小泉仁左卫门的铁壶，不止是日用器具，它更是一段历史的延续、一种匠心的承载、一次内心的沉淀。
一壶煮水，甘润如诗。御釜屋，壶中日月，火候人心。
📍【备注】
我们为御釜屋全球独家代理商，所有铁瓶皆为日本原装进口，附认证书与收藏编号，支持高级定制及茶会用壶需求，欢迎联系详询。