HATANO SHŌHEI 波多野正平 (1813–1892)A tetsubin (iron teapot for sencha) Japan, Meiji era (1868–1912), circa 1880|The body dramatically patinated and cast with a pine branch on one side and a reishi fungus on the other, the fittings for the handle each in the form of a dragon, the bronze handle with cherry-blossoms in silver and gold, the bronze lid with a silver cloud attachment and a freely rotating knop decorated with feathers in silver, the base with Kibundō's self-depreciating cast seal-style mark Kasetsu Nihon Biwako no higashi 家拙日本琵琶湖之東 (Our family is clumsily located to the east of Lake Biwa in Japan)With a wooden tomobako storage box, the exterior of the lid inscribed Sansui moyo-ire tetsubin 山水モヨ入　銕瓶 (Tea kettle with landscape motifs) and signed Shōhei Kibundō tsukuru 正平　亀文堂造 (Made by Shōhei Kibundō) with the same seal as on the base of the teapot　 8 3/4in (22cm) high; 7 1/2in (19cm) wide