Cast Iron Kettle: Michioku Ume

A tetsubin that quietly reflects the season in everyday tea moments

Michioku (Ume) is a cast iron kettle made for boiling water in daily use.
Plum blossom motifs are arranged across the entire body, adding a subtle sense of season without leaning toward overt decoration. Rather than being reserved for special occasions, this tetsubin is designed to be naturally used within the flow of everyday life.

Plum blossoms emerging from a restrained silhouette

The overall form is gently rounded, with a stable and calm center of gravity.
Plum blossoms appear quietly along the surface, their presence shaped not only by the motifs themselves, but by careful adjustment of surrounding planes and textures. The pattern does not assert itself immediately; its expression becomes apparent only when viewed up close, inviting a more attentive gaze.

Sogata casting to realize delicate surface expression

In order to clearly bring out the plum blossom motifs, fine adjustments are required not only in the motifs themselves, but also in the treatment of the surrounding surfaces.
Sogata molds are generally intended for single use per tetsubin, though some designs allow multiple castings through advanced technique. In the case of Michioku (Ume), however, the complexity of the design and the difficulty of execution require the mold to be used only once. Each casting is approached as a singular process, with full focus devoted to realizing a single, complete form.

Recommended For

• Those who wish to use a tetsubin in everyday life
• Those who prefer seasonal motifs expressed with restraint
• Those who value balance between pattern and unadorned surfaces