Ryubundo (龍文堂 ) - Ryubundo (龍文堂) - Tea kettle - Cast Iron - Arare pattern, copper lid

Japanese Cast Iron Tetsubin with Arare Pattern and Brass Lid, Ryubundo Mark - Meiji Period
Description
A finely cast Meiji-period tetsubin (鉄瓶) bearing the Ryubundo (龍文堂) mark, engraved on the interior of the lid. Ryubundo, a celebrated Kyoto workshop founded in the Edo period, is one of the most recognized names in Japanese cast iron craftsmanship, and signed examples are highly sought after by collectors. The body is covered in an all-over arare (霰) hailstone texture, each raised dot individually applied during casting. The brass lid is fitted with a decorative spherical finial on a flower-petal base, a refined detail consistent with Kyoto workshop tradition.

Object: Tetsubin (cast iron kettle) with brass lid
Maker: Ryubundo (龍文堂造, "made by Ryubundo") — mark engraved on lid interior (based on signature; not independently authenticated)
Materials: Cast iron (body), brass (lid)
Design: Arare (hailstone) relief pattern
Origin: Japan (Kyoto)
Period: Meiji period (late 19th–early 20th century)
Dimensions: Height 21cm, Diameter 8.5cm
Weight: 1,400g
Condition: Good antique condition; natural surface wear; interior shows age-appropriate patina and surface rust — recommended for decorative use only
Provenance: Acquired from a private collection in Kyoto, Japan