Iron Kettle – Ashiya Dragon with Silver Inlay

Metalwork

Craft Artist: Ouko Sato (Seikodo)

ORIGIN: Yamagata Prefecture
MATERIAL: Iron (Body), Copper (Lid), Silver (Handle)

Unfading Refinement

Seikodo was founded in Yamagata, an area where casting flourished in the late Edo period (1603-1868). It is a small workshop specializing in iron kettles (tetsubin) and pots for the tea ceremony. The tetsubin, which is said to have originated as a smaller version of the traditional chanoyu-gama tea pot, possesses a durability that allows it to be passed down from generation to generation through daily handling with care. A dragon dances on the thinly cast surface that is the charm of Yamagata cast iron, and the dragon’s eyes, spout, and handle feature intricate silver inlays, while the silver handle on the vermilion-copper lid gleams brightly. It is a beautiful and practical product with a dignified appearance and a sense of splendor.

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Zogan (Inlay)
- Technique
A decorative technique where the surface of a base material such as metal, wood, or ceramics is carved, and contrasting materials are then fitted into the carved areas to create patterns.
Yamagata casting
- Generic term
Yamagata-style casting is said to have originated when artisans migrated to riverside lands in Yamagata during the late Heian period (794-1185), as the local sand and soil composition proved suitable for casting molds. Its distinctive features include a thin and delicate cast surface, as well as precise shapes and dimensions. In many cases, each workshop handles all manufacturing processes, from production to sales, without adopting a division of labor for specialized tasks.
Sogata (Mold)
- Technique
A pattern is carved directly on the inside of a mold made of sand and clay, forming the outline of the object to be produced, and fired to make the outer mold. Molten metal is then poured into the gap between the outer mold and the inner core to cast the object. This method is mainly used in the production of circular objects, such as pots and Buddhist bells.
Chukin (Metal casting)
- Generic term
- Technique
A technique to make metalworks by pouring molten metal into a mold, or igata in Japanese and extracting it after it is cooled. The technique makes it possible to form metal freely, which otherwise is a difficult material to process. A product made by this casting method is called imono. This method also allows for mass production. Once the mold of a prototype is made it is then possible to make multiples of the product.

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