Paris Hearts Tetsubin Teapots

Tea and chocolate are a natural pair for Parisians and you'll see giant tins of tea in most chocolate shops. The idea is you take an afternoon tea and nibble a few chocolates. 

All over Paris I kept seeing Japanese cast iron tea pots (une théière japonaise de forme plate) called TETSUBIN. In specialty tea shops, in chocolate shops. These red enamel tea tins are inside La Bonbonnière de la Trinité in the 9ème. Note cast iron tea pots sitting on top of tins.

I passed this shop window on rue de l'Odéon rushing to the Metro and was smitten. An entire window full of Tetsubin tea pots and inside too!

Each teapot is hand cast. The best are made in the Iwate district and called Nanbu-tekki. They were first produced in the 16th century for tea ceremony use.

This Japanese surimono woodblock print by Teisai Shuri has influenced my still life watercolors, so it was a lovely surprise to see the same teapot 🫖 all over Paris.

I would stop by M.'s for a cup of tea after my morning swim and admire her teapot. Finally she lent it to me.

Hokusai used a tetsubin to heat his tea -- note the blackened bottom in both prints. *Never put your pot directly over the fire. Only brew your tea in the Tetsubin and it will retain the heat for a long time. I bought this Tetsubin when I got home on the Bowery at Leader's, a Japanese restaurant supply house. I'll paint it soon.

Tetsubin watercolor on Etsy