TeaChat

chamekke wrote:The Japanese are efficient, but they seldom multi-task when doing this kind of thing. All attention is supposed to be on the one thing you're doing. Maybe it's the Zen influence ... or maybe it's just the Japanese fixation on doing things the prescribed way. Or both

You are so right! A very important distinction and clarification.

Always #3 (though I usually place my fingertip on the lid knob like in #4, rather than other parts of the lid)! Just feels the most natural, I guess.

Resurrected due to mention by blairswhitaker in the Ode to Kyusu topic.

I used to use #2 always ... but now I use #2 the mostest. Maybe my handles are getting smaller or my hands are getting bigger ... oh, my kyusu are shrinking ... sort of actually. Steeps are smaller and more recent purchases reflect this.

But I am looking at a humungous 750 ml (25 ounces) Kenji (big bro to my Textured kokudei) on Artistic Nippon.

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... apotL.html

This one requires a three handed grip!!!

Wow that's big.

I think it really depends on the Kyusu, my large Deishi kyusu which is a 13-15 ounce monstrosity gets held way different than my two smaller kyusu. I have a Nerikome of goodwill out (RIP Ian), and I played around with holding it and with this size the First or Modified fist honestly feels best.

Modified fist is nearly identical except the handle goes between my middle and ring finger and I hold the lid on with my index finger, this free's up the thumb to curl around and now plant the handle firmly at a near perfect perpendicular angle into your palm. Although maybe this one only works because I have fairly large hands.

Chip wrote:Resurrected due to mention by blairswhitaker in the Ode to Kyusu topic.

I used to use #2 always ... but now I use #2 the mostest. Maybe my handles are getting smaller or my hands are getting bigger ... oh, my kyusu are shrinking ... sort of actually. Steeps are smaller and more recent purchases reflect this.

But I am looking at a humungous 750 ml (25 ounces) Kenji (big bro to my Textured kokudei) on Artistic Nippon.

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... apotL.html

This one requires a three handed grip!!!

To put 750ml into perspective that is a typical bottle of wine/ whisky/ etc...

I have a kyusu that is in the 24oz range and I typically use it to serve guests large batches of hojicha. I use the grip #4, one hand to lift it and the other to hold the lid. I need to try the number #1 grip with some of my pots that are under 120ml.

#2 alone; #1 is a grip I'd never considered. I gave #1 a try with one of my smaller Kyusu's yesterday but it felt very unnatural.

Number 2, but also mostly thumb on the lid's knob. Obviously a LOT depends on the user's hand and the design of the kyusu.

best,

................john

JBaymore wrote:Number 2, but also mostly thumb on the lid's knob. Obviously a LOT depends on the user's hand and the design of the kyusu.

best,

................john

+1

#2 on nob instead of lid. Also depends on the size of the Kyusu. Usually use my smaller Kyusus so that is my vote.

Number 2 at the moment.

debunix wrote:#2 alone; #1 is a grip I'd never considered. I gave #1 a try with one of my smaller Kyusu's yesterday but it felt very unnatural.

When I use #1, I notice now that I usually place my thumb on the lid, not the nob which is usually a bit to far away to feel natural.

My lids are rarely too hot since I am brewing Japanese greens.

I also noticed a long time ago that comfort or natural is at least partially related to how high the table/kyusu is in relation the the body. The higher up the kyusu is, the more unnatuaral #2 begins to feel as the wrist bend becomes more and more obtuse ... bending down to the table awkwardly.

Then #1 and #3 become more and more ... natural. IMHO

Sometimes I hold it up to the sky in one hand and shout "BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL"

That's option 5 now