12 Days of Kyusu

[Chip]

Possibly Sou tried stopping the glaze earlier, so it didn’t reach the bottom, but wasn’t happy with the results.

Probably, the drip was to large and unevenly protruding, preventing the pot from sitting flat.
In any case very nice teapots! Blue is not my thing, but pretty they are indeed...

Yes, I am sure the ao drips went too far down and likely came in contact with the shelf in the kiln (it appears to me that these sat upright during firing vs resting on their sides ... on a shell).

Yamada Sou does not favor grinding unless absolutely necessary ... teaching from Jozan 3.

The lid kyusu interfaces are not smooth ... left natural attesting to this.

[debunix]

Zoom in, his Aoyu has a "glisteny" shimmer. Really hard to pick up with a phone ...

Yes



and

[Elise]

Pretty <3

[Chip]

Day 4. On a Shigaraki clay roll.

Mayake (wood fired) kyusu by Yamada Sou. Maiden voyage.

20190105_082515.jpg (466.8 KiB) Viewed 6089 times

More photos below!

[Jo]

Day 4, Yamada Sou Mayake 225 ml kyusu. This wood-fired 'Shiggy' looks smaller than 225ml, it has surprisingly thin walls, thus making it light in weight. Most wood-fired kyusu tend to have heavier, thick walls, with a bit of clunkiness, not this one.

It has a.golden coppery irridesence on the interior, while the exterior has a lot going on. Wood-fired kyusu tend to have a wildness about them, 'Yohen' effect and this one is no exception as the wood-fire has had it's way through out the pot and lid. Even the interior compared to the blue Aoyu Yamada Sou has a glazed appearance from the ash glaze in the firing.

It is a rainy dreary day here, making it is hard to capture the essence of the olive and muted burgandy hues on the exterior. Some of the sides are reminiscent of a starry night. The picture of the lid hopefully shows the iridesence that is also present in the interior, whereas stated above, the exterior is more muted.

The screen is a little more complicated than most of his other direct wall screens. It has apparently more, but smaller holes thus restricting the leaf particles during the pour. Also the pour is slower than the other kyusu tested due to this feature.

So, this is the maiden voyage for this kyusu and Chip is expecting some softness today with the tea.

Although the tea flavor is smooth and sweet, it is most definitely toned down from the previous days. Clearly this clay is having it's way today. It is aromatic, yet softer in all areas, little umami, with a slight touch of astringency and almost completely devoid of bitterness, just as he expected. This will change over time as the pot is used more frequently.

[Chip]

20190105_082914.jpg (501.4 KiB) Viewed 6087 times

20190105_082602.jpg (357.6 KiB) Viewed 6087 times

[Chip]

20190105_083036.jpg (380.8 KiB) Viewed 6086 times

20190105_082810.jpg (465.76 KiB) Viewed 6086 times

[Chip]

20190105_083106.jpg (477.51 KiB) Viewed 6086 times

20190105_083321.jpg (471.22 KiB) Viewed 6086 times

[Chip]

20190105_083247.jpg (559.09 KiB) Viewed 6085 times

20190105_085204.jpg (414.3 KiB) Viewed 6085 times

[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

Mayake Shigaraki kyusu by Yamada Sou

Appearance- lots of wabi-sabi going on along with yohen effect. This one is not my fave of the group ... that would be "C-shell", see photo below. Still a 10
Form- classic and well executed. Surprisingly thin walled and light. But my fave form of the group is the "tall" one, see other image below. 10
Feel- excellent feel though not a "wow". 9
Flavor. "Tames the beast" a bit ... but this selection did not need taming. Was still very good, and I expect with heavy use this would improve ... but not this day. 8
Overall- tough call, flavor drops it to a 9

[Chip]

Bonus pics of 2 other Mayake by Yamada Sou. The first one is aptly nicked "C-shell". It could easily be Bizen, Iga, or Shigaraki in appearance.

And how could I not buy it, a serendipitously monogrammed "C" kyusu by Yamada Sou!

20190105_155613.jpg (461.12 KiB) Viewed 6054 times

20190105_155631.jpg (425.3 KiB) Viewed 6054 times

20190105_155652.jpg (456.13 KiB) Viewed 6054 times

20190105_155439.jpg (199.06 KiB) Viewed 6054 times

[Chip]

... and the 2nd bonus is a "tall" version. I have always liked taller kyusu. This is the only tall mayake Yamada Sou I have seen and also features a bulbous handle, another rarity. Not the looker like "C-shell" but a favorite.

20190105_161133.jpg (510.36 KiB) Viewed 6054 times

[Victoria]

Wow, a great post, it inspired me take a closer look at my little ‘blackie’ or is it ‘brownie’ 90ml mayake Sou Yamada. Mine has a cool twisted spout and the kudei (foot) is smooth rounded/rimless and like yours it has starry night like shimmering white flecks and in the darkness a few olive mahogany Yohen fire kissed areas appear. I’ve used mine mostly with sheng, and very special roasted oolong. You have an impressive Sou Yamada collection, so nice that you are sharing it with us.

[Chip]

Wow, a great post, it inspired me take a closer look at my little ‘blackie’ or is it ‘brownie’ 90ml mayake Sou Yamada. Mine has a cool twisted spout and the kudei (foot) is smooth rounded/rimless and like yours it has starry night like shimmering white flecks and in the darkness a few olive mahogany Yohen fire kissed areas appear. I’ve used mine mostly with sheng, and very special roasted oolong. You have an impressive Sou Yamada collection, so nice that you are sharing it with us.

... just coming out of the closet ...

[Chip]

Day 5.
Hokujo yakeshime kyusu with "mayake-like finish"

20190106_093240.jpg (504.1 KiB) Viewed 5981 times

More photos below.