Tsurigama 釣釜

Hanging kettle. Hung either on chain or Jizai. Used in February by Omotesenke, in March by Urasenke.

As the days get warmer, the kettle begins to make its journey from the sunken winter hearth back up to the summer brazier. About mid-March the Tsurigama, or hanging kettle is used. It is suspended from a chain attached to a hook in the ceiling. No gotoku or trivet is used. Extra large rings hold a bridge piece that is attached to the chain.

Tsurigama

In placing the hook in the ceiling, it must be located exactly in the center of where the the ro is cut. It must also be attached to a beam and be strong enough to hold a cast iron kettle full of water.

Because there is no gotoku in the ro for the tsurigama, often a Gotoku Futaoki is used to remind us of the gotoku. This a a rather challenging pice to use, as the hishaku cup must fit within the three legs of the gotoku futaoki. Make sure that the one of the legs is designated as the front and place on the tatami mat accordingly.

Tsurigama

As you are using the kettle and placing the hishaku back in the kettle, it swings a little and give the feeling of a spring breeze in the tea room. Be careful, though, if the kettle starts to twist on you. You may have to adjust your hishaku.

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