Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, is one of the six oldest kilns in Japan and is known as a major kyusu production center. This is a kyusu made by Gyokko Toen, a Tokoname pottery with a history of more than 70 years in the city. We visited the workshop and selected this kyusu from their vast archives in their warehouse from our own perspective, and ordered it in a special finish and size.
The extremely flat shape of the Goku-asa kyusu allows tea leaves to spread thinly and evenly when hot water is poured into it. The beauty of the view of the opened tea leaves is also one of its charms. It has a capacity of about 120 ml in the proper amount, making it suitable for brewing regular sencha and gyokuro tea in large quantities, as well as for brewing tea over ice by lining it up flat and placing ice cubes on top.
Tokoname kyusu are traditionally made of semi-porcelain clay and fired unglazed, a process known as yakishime. These are called stoneware and are fired at high temperatures to harden them and allow them to be used unglazed. Traditionally, stoneware vessels are suitable for kyusu teapots.
The tea strainer is made of ceramic called "ceramesh," which is unique to Tokoname kyusu, and its numerous fine holes allow even relatively small tea leaves to be extracted.
Another feature unique to Tokoname kyusu is the process of grinding the body and lid together, called lid grinding. This process ensures that the lids are precisely aligned.
This is a product that we hope you will use for a long time, as you can feel the high precision of the potter's wheel with its fine attention to detail and ease of use, and the taste of handcrafting by wheel throwing.
Body length: approx. 10.8 cm
Overall length: approx. 13.1 cm (including spout)
Overall width: approx. 16.2 cm (including the handle)
Height: approx. 5.8 cm
Capacity: approx. 120 ml at the eighth fill
Material: Ceramic (Stoneware)
Because all the pieces are handmade, there are individual differences in size, shape, color, and texture. Please understand this in advance.
Ceramic Artist: Gyokko Pottery / Hirotaka Umehara
Ceramic history
Trained under Master Gyokko I
Selected twice for the Japan Sencha Tea Craft Exhibition
Awarded the Chouzanshou Prize at the Chouzanshou Ceramics Exhibition
Selected, Japan Traditional Craftsmen's Association Exhibition
Succeeded to the second generation of Gyokko
Certified as a traditional artisan by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Awarded the Aichi Prefecture Excellent Technique Award
Awarded the Aichi Prefecture Excellent Technical Award