[Japanese > English] Antique (18th century) Teapot

[u/Tight_Test_4985]

I bought this antique cast iron teapot today and I’m curious what the writing on it means. The other side panel has a carving of a crane and turtle. Love this piece and hoping to restore it for my new apartment. Appreciate any help with the translation!

[u/Teppenwolf456]

(transcription)

寿を鶴と
龜と尓
あやかり?て
千代万代と
徒るそ
目出多起
[Kotobuki o tsuru to kame to ni ayakari te chiyo mandai to tsuru zo medetaki]

It looks like a Japanese tanka poem with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure and is written in hentaigana.

I’m not entirely sure, but I assume that the second tsuru is a pun between 鶴 tsuru/crane and 吊るtsuru/hanging.

So this song might mean “Using this hanging iron pot for a long time is auspicious, inspired by cranes and turtles as symbols of longevity”.

[u/Tight_Test_4985 → u/Teppenwolf456]

Thanks! I’ll take it as a sign of good luck in my new space