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Michael Plant

9/26/06

>
> Michael Plant wrote:
>> In the traditional Japanese tea ceremony an iron
>> kettle is deployed over a charcoal fire. What is the
>> Japanese word for this kettle?
>
> "The Japanese Tea Ceremony" is, in fact, a collection of many different
> versions of ritual. Most of the time, the water is heated in an iron
> kettle over a fire. The lid is removed, and a bamboo dipper is used to
> remove the hot water. This is called a kama.
>
> Some versions of powdered tea ritual call for the use of an iron kettle
> with a spout and a handle, thus eliminating the need for the dipper.
> The kettle can be heated over a charcoal fire or an electric heater.
> This is called a tetsubin, literally iron jug/bottle.
>
> There is a book, in English, called _Tetsubin: A Japanese Waterkettle_
> by P.L.W. Arts, Groningen [The Netherlands]: Geldermalsen Publications,
> 1987. This is a detailed academic work. Maybe you can find this by
> inter-library loan. Paragon Book Gallery in Chicago might also have
> occasional copies for sale.
>
Thank you Thitherflit. It is just as I suspected.
The Tetsubin was/is a water heating vessel meant
to heat the tea water, not to brew. God, you,
and I triumph yet again. All else is trash.

Cordially,
Michael