Cast Iron Kettle: Onimen Ō-Arare

A tetsubin that adds a quiet presence to everyday tea moments

Onimen Ō-Arare is a cast iron kettle made for boiling water in daily use.
Its softly rounded body is adorned with large arare patterns, giving the piece a composed yet expressive presence. Rather than emphasizing decoration, this tetsubin is designed to be used naturally within the rhythm of everyday tea time.

Weight expressed through form and restrained composition

The overall shape is a stable, rounded silhouette that conveys a low visual center of gravity.
Each arare pattern is deliberately large and limited in number, allowing the outline of the form itself to remain clearly defined. The spout is kept short and set at a natural angle, responding calmly to daily pouring movements. The handle forms a broad arc, receiving the weight of the kettle in a way that feels balanced and unforced when lifted.

Two expressions contained within the lid

One of the defining features of this piece lies in the design of the lid knob.
The front and back present two different expressions—an oni mask and a Noh mask—quietly facing one another. Without asserting themselves overtly, these details reveal their presence only when the kettle is handled, adding a subtle sense of narrative depth to the piece.

Handcraft required to sustain large arare patterns

Because the arare patterns on Onimen Ō-Arare are larger in scale, the clarity of each individual form greatly influences the overall impression.
During production, careful attention is paid to shaping each motif so that its outline remains distinct and does not lose definition. Beneath the finished surface lies an accumulation of handwork that allows the form and patterns to remain intact without distortion.

Recommended For

• Those who wish to use a tetsubin in everyday life
• Those who appreciate tools with quiet narrative elements
• Those who value balance between form and handcraft