TENMOKU Kyusu (handcrafted: 300ml)

Handcrafted Kyusu
Dimension: 300ml (10.55fl oz)
Sophisticated Tokoname Yaki
Made by Shoji Umehara

Mr. Shoji Umehara is one of the pottery masters who is certified as a traditional craftsman, and TENMOKU Kyusu is one of his masterpieces. Gorgeous and elegant surface by TENMOKU glazing colors this teapot, and its round shape expresses gentility with dignity. His woodturning technique achieves extremely thin and light shape; it is among the best in Japan.

TENMOKU is an iron glaze traditionally known for its impenetrable and elusive nature. In ancient times, it was said that if an artisan tried to pursue TENMOKU glaze, they would become insolvent. It was developed 800 years ago, and many artisans pursed its technique, but few were successful. Because TENMOKU glaze was so difficult to create, it was a great honor for tea masters to acquire such precious earthenware at that time.

Unique pattern on the surface of the teapot is similar to the color inside a sea shell and seven bright color changes occur according the position from which it is viewed. Its pattern is slightly changed not only by the firing lot but also by the weather in each season. Indeed, each teapot is a unique treasure.

Spherically shaped Kyusu impresses the image of tenderness, but also gives a solid accent. Flapped bezel and curved design of spout emphasize its gentility. Glossy yet calm color matches the oval shape of the teapot, and its tender shape and TENMOKU color glazing interact beautifully.

This Kyusu is very thin and lightweight. The weight is 6.34oz (180g), which is about half the weight of most Kyusu of the same size. However, the clay is extremely strong. It requires a precise woodturning technique, therefore these special Kyusu are created only by the hand of skilled artisans and cannot be mass produced. Many craftsmen are not willing to make thin Kyusu because of the time and effort involved. However, it is traditionally said in the Tokoname region that the thinner and more lightweight, the higher the grade of Kyusu. The highest grade of Kyusu are extremely thin and lightweight. Even in the Tokoname region, Mr. Umehara's Kyusu are known as extremely high quality.

This teapot is a collaboration between traditional quite precious glazing and modern design; its beauty is both traditional and modern. Would you try brewing Japanese green tea with this teapot with its modern shape and TENMOKU glaze loved by ancient tea experts?

This is the most popular and convenient size, perfect for 1 - 3 people.
Ceramic fine mesh filter
Specially packaged in a special carton box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.
(Please note that the size of the pattern is a little different in each work because of features of this work.)

Price:US$128.00

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Shoji Umehara

Mr. Umehara was born in 1945. He is a traditional craftsman certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan. It is said that his woodturning technique is one of the best in Japan's Kyusu industry.

(Tokoname Yaki)
Kyusu produced in the Tokoname region in the Aichi Prefecture account for 30 to 40 percent of the market share in Japan. The Kyusu industry has developed in Tokoname because fine particle soil which contains a lot of iron has been mined there for many hundreds of years.
Tokoname Yaki artisans are traditionally known for excelling in the woodturning technique. The Tokoname woodturning technique is said to be the best in Japan. Tokoname Yaki can be produced thinly, exquisitely or decoratively.
The surface of Tokoname Yaki are generally vermilion or black in color. The vermilion color is due to iron that is contained in the local soil. The black color is created by placing carbon on the surface of the Kyusu. When this is heated to a high temperature, the iron and carbon create a black color.
Tokoname Yaki are made from fine particle soil and heated to a high temperature, so that they are quite strong.

Directions

- It is best to wash this item using only tepid water or mild chlorine-free dish washing detergent.
- If necessary, you may occasionally use a chlorine detergent. In that case, after using the chlorine detergent, we recommend you boil this item in water to remove the chlorine smell.
- When turning the Kyusu to pour tea, you must hold the lid in place with your finger, otherwise the lid could fall off the pot and possibly get damaged. This is the usual way to pour tea with a Kyusu.
- A clear plastic guard is placed over the tip of the Kyusu spout to protect the spout from breakage during transport. Before use, please remove the plastic guard.

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