12 Days of Kyusu

[Jo]

Victoria, Kashun, we have a pair of them.

[Chip]

That Yamada Sou kyusu is a beauty. Thanks for sharing and happy new year!

OMG. Are those on the last picture all Yamada Sous? What is the one on the very left?

Yes, all Yamada Sou shudei.

The one on the far left is a "taller" kyusu (more tallthan wide) ... I like tall kyusu. That one is my smallest Yamada Sou shudei kyusu, around 125 ml or so.

[Chip]

Agree with his direct wall filters and their perfect pour. Chip and I even discussed that, I neglected adding that to the post.

The one fukamushi that can pour fail is Yutaka Midori as this tends to have very fine particles ... if I pour it w/o paying attention, it will clog up. I usually opt for another screen type for this selection.

[Chip]

Victoria, I call this one a spontaneous Mt. Fuji. I have a few cups that fall into this "category".

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[Victoria]

Victoria, I call this one a spontaneous Mt. Fuji. I have a few cups that fall into this "category".

Haha your Fuji. A gorgeous cup, almost looks like Kyo-ware or Seto-ware rather than Hagi.

[Chip]

I will endeavor to rate each kyusu based upon the following categories on a scale of 1-10. With a noteworthy citation if applicable.

Appearance-my impression
Form-relative conduciveness to brewing the test tea
Feel-tactile in hand
Pour & Screen function
Flavor based on test tea only
Overall

Yamada Sou shudei kyusu:
Appearance- I clearly like his work. 10
Form- used this kyusu so many times. 10
Feel- I favor texture, the lightly nubby texture and banding feels awesome.
10
Pour & screen function. Flawless, and 0 dribbling ever. 10
Flavor- perfect for this selection 10
Overall- obviously a 10!

That will be tough for other selections to come close to!

[Chip]

Selection #2.
Shigaraki aka "shiggy" clay by Tachi Masaki.

More images below.

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[Jo]

Our 2nd selection is a first generation 200m, very beautiful Shigaraki by Tachi Masaki. Chip actually picked this one up from TC Teaswap. However, these kyusu are available exclusively from HoJo. It has only seen light duty and perhaps today we will see why.

There is already a medium patina effect despite the lack of use of this pot. The clay has a rough texture but surprisingly where the lid meets the rim it is remarkably smooth, very finely made.

The pour, due to the spout shape is smooth and natural, the tea is naturally guided down, a very nice approach. And there is no dribble with this spout. The filter is a medium size ball filter.

During this kyusu experience, we will be using the same tea and are keeping all the other variables constant in order to compare the brewing and taste imparted to the tea with the different clays.

First steep was definitely not as sweet as yesterday and was a touch more bitter. There was definately more astringency today than with the Yamada Sou and it appears there is a more mineral/iron sensation on the palette. This clay seems to take something away from the natural flavor of sencha and to add something to it.
Almost like it is surpressing some of the nice, fresh qualities of good Japanese green tea and imparting other not as desirable qualities for sencha.

Perhaps this is not the perfect pot for sencha, but would likely serve high-fired oolong or Sheng pu-erh better. Chip feels this may be the reason he does not reach for this kyusu on a regular basis.

He plans if time permits to brew using our other Tachi Masaki 'shiggy'pots on hand. He also would like to possibly purchase one of his banko kyusu.

[Chip]

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[Chip]

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[Chip]

Shiggy family. The test kyusu is first generation of this clay by Tachi Masaki. The other 2 were made years later and still years ago ... they have not been tested ... yet.

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[Chip]

Rating on a scale of 1-10.

Appearance-my impression
Form-relative conduciveness to brewing the test tea
Feel-tactile in hand
Pour & Screen function
Flavor based on test tea only
Overall

Tachi Masaki Shigaraki kyusu.

Appearance- stunning 10
Form- he is a master! For how rough the clay is, the lid fits precisely and spins in place incredibly smoothly. 10
Feel- love it! 10
Pour & screen- call him Kohler, he creates wondrous spouts that brilliantly manipulate the pour downward vs outward. 0 dribble! 10
Flavor- oops ... not great for this tea selection. I sense this kyusu would score very high for pu-erh or high fired oolong brewing. 6
Overall- tough call. He hits home runs on all but flavor for this tea selection. 8

[Victoria]

Oh, your scoring system is interesting, will be though to get below 9 on aesthetics I have admired Shigaraki clay pieces by Tachi Masaki, but still don’t have one. Would be interesting to ask Akira ‘Hojo’ what teas Tachi enjoys most with his Shigi kyusu. From what I understand this clay is super rich in iron and very porous which might explain the effect it had on your sencha, especially if you don’t use it often. I’m thinking since it’s very porous it needs to get broken in over some time. He has won some pretty impressive awards like 伝統工芸士 and as The Living Treasure of Yokkaichi City of Mie Prefecture ( 四日市市無形文化財), though I think mostly for his work with Banko clay kyusu that he makes most often. Thanks for sharing your collection Chip and Jo, and your journey too, it is very special.

[Jo]

Oh, your scoring system is interesting, will be though to get below 9 on aesthetics I have admired Shigaraki clay pieces by Tachi Masaki. Thanks for sharing your collection Chip and Jo, and your journey too, it is very special.

Thanks Victoria, I was just saying that too about the aesthetics. Obviously Chip procures what he likes and much time and thought is taken before a purchase. We shall see.

[Chip]

Oh, your scoring system is interesting, will be though to get below 9 on aesthetics I have admired Shigaraki clay pieces by Tachi Masaki, but still don’t have one. Would be interesting to ask Akira ‘Hojo’ what teas Tachi enjoys most with his Shigi kyusu. From what I understand this clay is super rich in iron and very porous which might explain the effect it had on your sencha, especially if you don’t use it often. I’m thinking since it’s very porous it needs to get broken in over some time. He has won some pretty impressive awards like 伝統工芸士 and as The Living Treasure of Yokkaichi City of Mie Prefecture ( 四日市市無形文化財), though I think mostly for his work with Banko clay kyusu that he makes most often. Thanks for sharing your collection Chip and Jo, and your journey too, it is very special.

The shiggy by Tachi Masaki are exclusively offered by Hojo. Other vendors cannot obtain them ... last time I heard. I had asked Toru a while ago, and his response was so fast that I figured it was not the first time he was asked.

Because of this, I am sure the Shigaraki kyusu are not considered as much as his Banko kyusu.

The blue Yamada Sou are also made of Shigaraki clay ... I think ... (or his wood fired). My experience is quite different with these.