Ode to the Kyusu

[Baisao]

@phier, you may do better by going up a tier to this site (no affiliation): http://artisticnippon.com/product/tokon ... eindex.htm

I purchased from them when I first began and their teapots are usually tasteful and purpose built. The prices may seem steep but there’s more value here than with the pots on Amazon.

[Bok]

phier, you may do better by going up a tier to this site (no affiliation): http://artisticnippon.com/product/tokon ... eindex.htm

I purchased from them when I first began and their teapots are usually tasteful and purpose built. The prices may seem steep but there’s more value here than with the pots on Amazon.

Second that, AN has very good service and it’s good supporting smaller outlets as well...

[phier]

can you then advise some nice kyusu from amazo co uk; around 225-250ml? if possible ... thanks

They are offering a sad selection of kyusu. The large kyusu on Amazon are 1) for drinking bancha family style and 2) the type of kyusu you’d find in a Japanese department store.

What is there is mostly too big for sencha for 1-2 people and are of low quality (not to mention aesthetics).

I picked a few teapots from the site that I don’t think are too bad for tea though none match my aesthetic. I would choose porcelain over clay when purchasing at a low price tier. (You didn’t mention price so I assumed you wanted to keep it below 100 pounds).











Note, you may need to disable ad blockers to view these.

@Baisao thanks so much, that one looked nice > Japanese Kyusu tokoname Hand-Made Clay Teapot 8.1 fl.oz. Tamamitsu, Black G137 from Japan ; but it looks like it made from pottery instead of clay... i am bit confused it it doesnt matter i think i should go for that one, price is okay, capacity ~ 240ml for one person also sounds good.

thx

[phier]

AN looks nice, but expensive for me ;/ thanks .. my budget is around 50-100 pounds.

[Baisao]

@phier, that black one should be fine. Pottery can be clay or porcelain. The black one is clay.

[faj]

AN looks nice, but expensive for me ;/ thanks .. my budget is around 50-100 pounds.

I suggest you take a look at their Banko section. They have several Tachi Masaki teapots, in various sizes, that fit within your budget.

[phier]

also do you recommend some nice 2 cups for a sencha if i go for 250ml kyusu? thanks!

[Baisao]

also do you recommend some nice 2 cups for a sencha if i go for 250ml kyusu? thanks!

You might search for the word "yunomi" to find a good cup for everyday drinking. I use a yunomi at work and smaller 40 ml cups at home.

[phier]

isnt 40ml too small?

Nothing exciting on amazon co uk ;( apart most of them are really huge sizes,... i found these 140ml each, but not sure if price is fair ... 30 pounds for 2 cups

[Baisao]

I tend to drink from small cups to savor the flavor of tea. Cups shape also helps convey aromatic elements of the tea. If you want to drink by the mug, a yunomi is the way. If you want to drink tea in a more focused manner like fine wine, a smaller cup can work well provided the shape is ideal.

I like the small cups used for gyokuro but prefer a handmade 70ml cup of unusual shape that was made by Taisuke Shiraiwa. Both have flared edges.

This is not a gyokuro cup as it is Chinese and being used here for Chinese tea, but the volume and shape are about the same (it looks big for a little cup):

40ml cup

0FD63C52-34CE-45D1-9261-80E292081289.jpeg (489.32 KiB) Viewed 7590 times

This is the 70ml cup I use that was made by Taisuke Shiraiwa:

70ml cup

62A82E67-01B7-4C5B-94B7-929CE32946DE.jpeg (504.62 KiB) Viewed 7590 times

Note that both have flared edges.

I cannot advise you on price. An item is worth what people are willing to pay for it. My cups did not cost a lot of money as they have either been gifts or purchased on auction sites below their market value. I have a yunomi that should have $500-$600 but paid $22 because I had a sharp eye and a little luck. I get more value purchasing this way compared to shopping on Amazon at a fixed price for mediocre ceramics.

Ultimately: find a cup you enjoy and worry no more about it.

[debunix]

This store on EBay sells a lot of stuff from famous artisans’ workshops that are made ‘under the direction of’ the master, using their preferred shapes and glazes quite inexpensively; I’ve gotten some very pleasing pieces here to share as gifts for my office colleagues who enjoy sharing tea:

https://www.ebay.com/str/hiroshimagallery

And this shop has some inexpensive items that are quite nice as well as pricier offerings

https://www.ebay.com/str/tokonamejp

This little shop on etsy culls items from estate sales, and has some fine bargains, but they are currently closed....but check back after the new year:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Koedo

[phier]

i like the second one ... does it have some name how to find it?:) is it porcelain? thanks

[Baisao]

i like the second one ... does it have some name how to find it?:) is it porcelain? thanks

It’s by Taisuke Shiraiwa (at the Instagram account I shared earlier). You might share a photo with him. I have no idea how much it costs as it was a gift from a fellow collector. I imagine it’s over $70 but then again I just don’t know. He ships from Hokkaido.

It’s definitely a piece to contemplate while drinking. Some areas are a subtle soft blue, other parts of it like a quail egg. It’s handmade of course, so no two will be the same. Here is a photo of it from another angle.

[pedant]

a post of appreciation for SHIMIZU Ken (清水謙).

文平



unfortunately, Mr. Shimizu passed away several years ago, but i will always enjoy using his pots.

this one is probably my favorite:

Shimizu Ken: Mumyoi 140mL

shimizu-ken-140mL.jpg (194.45 KiB) Viewed 7055 times

Shimizu Ken: Mumyoi 140mL

shimizu-ken-140mL-2.jpg (174.56 KiB) Viewed 7054 times

Shimizu Ken: Mumyoi 140mL

shimizu-ken-140mL-3.jpg (205.34 KiB) Viewed 7037 times

great clay (i think i prefer this mumyoi clay to that of tozo), aesthetics, and ergonomics. i love the dumpling shape of this pot.

[faj]

this one is probably my favorite:

Well, it is the only one I think I have seen from your collection, but it is my favorite too . Gorgeous pot. Familiar yet unique, simple yet overflowing with satisfying detail.

I can't unsee it now, too bad you did not post this in the tea swap section...