Iwachu Japanese Iron Tea Cup, Black Hobnail

The hailstone pattern is one of the oldest and most classic tetsubin designs, favored by many for its simple beauty. Iwachu is one of the finest and most respected manufacturers of Japanese ironware, with a company history of over 100 years. Today, craftsmen at Iwachu pay respect to this tradition by infusing each product with skilled precision and detail throughout the entire manufacturing process. Much of the crafting process at Iwachu is still done by hand and strictly controlled by master craftsmen known as "Kamashi". At Iwachu, 15 years of apprenticehood is required to become a full-fledged craftsman and 30 to 40 years to become a "Kamashi". The superior quality, beauty and lasting durability of Iwachu products have earned them the worldwide reputation as the leading manufacturer of authentic Japanese tetsubin.