This beautiful Nambu ironware kettle was created commemorating the beginning of the new Japanese era, Reiwa, which was taken from a phrase found in Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of poetry. The poem was written about plum blossoms; while the most famous Japanese flower is the cherry blossom, plum blossoms have also been close to the hearts of the Japanese people since ancient times as the flower to signal the arrival of spring even before cherry blossoms. Plum blossoms are also part of the auspicious phrase “sho-chiku-bai” (meaning “pine, bamboo and plum”). This iron kettle is designed with the plum blossom on the pot stand and lid, and the body is embellished with the standard Arare dot pattern of Nambu ironware. The white coloring is evoking of the shade of white plum. Our hope is that this new Reiwa era brings a wonderful spring season. Nambu ironware with enamel coating on the inside has been widely favored by tea lovers around the world including Europe, highly evaluated for its heat retention, ease of maintenance due to rust resistance and functionality that does not alter the tea’s taste. While conventional Nambu ironware has been going in the direction of the classical black or colorful modern design geared for Western customers, this product sought to convey the beautify of both the classicism and modernity of present-age Japan.