KITTACHI MOGAKE Kyusu (handcrafted: 350ml)

This Kyusu was renewed by Gyokkoh kiln on April 2023.

Handcrafted Kyusu
Dimension: 350ml (11.83 fl oz)
Traditional Tokoname Yaki
Made by Yukitaka Umehara at Gyokkoh kiln

This Kyusu has a unique color, texture and distinctive form. The color and shape are wonderfully matched and bring an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere to this teapot. It is very time-consuming to produce this Kyusu and expert skills are required.

The technique called MOGAKE is used for this Kyusu. MO means seaweed and GAKE means wrapping in Japanese. As the name suggests, this Kyusu is fired in the kiln while wrapped with seaweed. Salt contained in the seaweed creates the unique color pattern due to the chemical reaction. It is a very rare technique and can be found only in the Tokoname region of Japan. MOGAKE is a traditional technique, said to have been first used in the Edo period (around 18th century).

This Kyusu has a very distinctive shape, as shown in the photos. The form is usually called KITTACHI, which means cylindrical shape in Japanese. This unique form is considered to be helpful to brew delicious green tea since there is enough space for the tea leaves to fully open.

On the other hand, advanced skills and outstanding techniques are required to produce such a unique shape of Kyusu. With such a characteristic cylindrical shape, strain is likely to occur during the forming and firing process. Very detailed and delicate craftsmanship is required to produce a favorable outcome. Yukitaka Umehara, the artisan who created this Kyusu, makes it possible to produce such delicate works through his excellent skills.

Mr. Yukitaka Umehara is the third generation head of Gyokkoh kiln, which has been in operation for three generations in the Tokoname region, a famous Kyusu teapot production area. He carefully creates by hand a variety of Kyusu in different colors, shapes, and sizes to suit the lifestyles of the people who use them. Mr. Umehara has perfected this KITTACHI MOGAKE Kyusu over time, so that the handle fits perfectly in the hand of the user.

This Kyusu brings a noble and unique atmosphere, as would be expected from an artist of this caliber with steady techniques and enormous effort. To consider the effort and technique on this Kyusu, this price is absolutely reasonable. If you are searching for a teapot of exceptional first-class quality, this would certainly be ideal.

Would you try brewing Japanese green tea with this novel and genuine teapot?

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$118.00

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Gyokkoh Kiln / Yukitaka Umehara

Gyokkoh Kiln was founded in 1945 by Mr. Harutaka Umehara, the first generation for this kiln. Mr. Yukitaka Umehara is the third generation head of Gyokkoh Kiln. He and several craftsmen make about 150 teapots a day by hand using a ROKURO wheel in their workshop. Mr. Yukitaka Umehara is one of the most notable Tokoname Kyusu potters, having participated in many international ceramic exhibitions and winning numerous awards. His Kyusu, which are carefully handcrafted, have inherited the tradition of Tokoname Kyusu.

(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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