Best Christmas present. . .EVER!

Thank you, darlin' son Karl for a gift, which I have often coveted.
Tetsubin, or iron kettles, were originally used in the home to boil water.  These pots generally were not ornately decorated, as they were placed over a hearth to provide heat and humidity during cold weather. During the mid-19th century as infused tea drinking became more popular, tetsubin evolved from being a kitchen item to being a status symbol used to serve tea.  Some of these were even elaborately decorated with a high relief design or inlay of copper, gold, or silver.

The region best known for making tetsubin is Iwate prefecture, in Northern Japan.
*********************
Haven't been blogging for a variety of reasons.  Tomorrow I am going to Mazatlán, Mexico for the month of January.  Please come visit me there at http://kate-mazatlanmexico.blogspot.com!