Wash with warm water only. Do not use washing-up liquid or put in the dishwasher. After washing, allow to naturally dry in the air with the lid off. If tea leaves get trapped in the filter, brush away with a soft brush, such as a toothbrush.
Kyusu Tokoname
Shudashi Kushime
Reiko
SKU
0575
Masterfully handcrafted black Tokoname-yaki Kyusu by Reiko, decorated with fine comb lines and thin bands of red, which reveal the vermillion clay beneath the dark, reduction-fired exterior. This side-handle teapot has an inbuilt ceramic mesh strainer and comes in a signed wooden box. Pair with premium Japanese green teas.
| Item | Side-handle teapot |
|---|---|
| Artist | Reiko |
| Origin | Tokoname, Aichi, Japan |
| Colour | Black, red |
| Volume | 380ml |
| Dimensions | Ø9.7 x 8.5cm |
| Material | Unglazed clay |
| Strainer | Ceramic mesh (Sasame) |
| Artist mark | Seal below handle |
| Packaging | Signed wooden box (Tomobako) |
Each piece is handmade and unique, therefore colour, volume and dimensions may vary slightly
In stock
Reikō 玲光
Born Hiroshi Koie (鯉江廣氏) in Tokoname in 1955, Reiko is an esteemed potter who graduated from the Tokoname Prefectural High School, Ceramics Department in 1973, before completing the Ceramics Specialisation Course at Seto Prefectural Ceramics High School in 1975. In 1982 he became certified as a full member of the Japan Crafts Association, and an Intangible Cultural Property of Tokoname City in 2016. Reiko is a recipient of numerous Choza awards, as well as the Jozan Award, named in honour of Tokoname's only Living National Treasure, Jozan Yamada III (1924–2005).
Kyusu 急須
The traditional Japanese teapot, Kyusu are typically made of ceramics with a side handle placed at a 90° angle to the spout for ease of pouring – however the handle can also be found over the top or in the back. Kyusu are perfect for preparing green teas and tend to be on the small side to prevent overbrewing. Depending on the size, shape and type of clay a Kyusu is made from will determine what type of tea is best prepared in it. There are many different regional styles as well as Kyusu made by certified Traditional Craftsmen, which are prized amongst collectors.
Tokoname-yaki 常滑焼
Pottery has been produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi prefecture, as far back as the 12th century, and since 1976 has been protected as a Traditional Craft of Japan. Tokoname was the site of the largest and oldest of the legendary Rokkoyō: the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, and is celebrated for its iron-rich Shudei "red clay" that turns a bright red after firing. When fired a second time in a reduction oven, the red Shudei turns black – another characteristic colour of Tokoname-yaki. High-fired at temperatures of around 1100°C and left unglazed (Yakishime), this allows tannins in the tea to interact with the iron in the clay body, which is said to reduce astringency and highlight the sweetness of green teas. Another key feature of these Kyusu are the perfectly fitting lids, which are ground into the clay body after firing in a technique known as Suriawase.
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