Keisen (Sentaro Kumagai) Sankondo Nanbu Tetsubin Iron Kettle Cherry Bark Zundo

A Nanbu cast iron kettle (tetsubin) by Keisen / Sentaro Kumagai, a casting artisan of the Sankondo workshop. It presents the technically demanding sakura-kawa (cherry bark) surface rendered on the straight-sided zundo form, with an irregular, natural cast texture reminiscent of cherry tree bark, and a lid knob shaped to evoke a cherry blossom bud.

• Artist / Maker: Keisen / Sentaro Kumagai, of the Sankondo workshop
• Subject / Motif: Cherry bark (sakura-kawa); lid knob shaped like a cherry blossom bud
• Technique: Nanbu cast iron, cherry bark surface on the straight-sided zundo form; cast texture applied by hand when making the mold
• Dimensions: Diameter approx. 14 cm; Height approx. 22 cm (including handle); Weight approx. 2 kg (including lid); Capacity approx. 1.2 L (1.4 L when full)
• Signature / Seal / Box: "Keisen" signature on the side together with the Sankondo mark, a properly signed work
• Condition: Has scratches and dirt. The spout and bow handle are solidly set. Interior stable with predominantly black rust, shows no water leakage, and remains in usable condition suitable for boiling water for daily use. Please refer to the photos for the item's current appearance and condition.

Sentaro Kumagai, known as Nanbu Keisen, holds the first-class certificate granted only to artisans who meet the strict quality standards of Nanbu ironware. The cherry bark surface shows natural, organic unevenness unlike the usual arare (hailstone) pattern, giving a metal piece the warmth of wood, so that no two surfaces are exactly alike.