Tea Kettles and Strainers: Traditional Items with Surprising New Uses

The tetsubin iron tea kettle section at Iidaya. Visitors to Japan tend to buy slightly larger ones. (© Nomura Kazuyuki)

Using an arare (hailstone) pattern, featuring small, evenly-spaced, raised dots, is a traditional manufacturing technique to increase surface area and improve heat retention. (© Nomura Kazuyuki)

A 40-mesh chakoshi tea strainer. They are made entirely from stainless steel by a manufacturer based in the Tsubame-Sanjō region of Niigata Prefecture. (© Nomura Kazuyuki)

Matcha is sifted to create a fine, smooth powder that can be used for whisking or for making sweets. (© Adobe Stock)

A close-up of a finely woven 40-mesh tea strainer. (© Nomura Kazuyuki)