Japanese teapot vendor - CD Japan

[TokyoB]

Hey,
I just ran across this vendor of Japanese teapots - looks like a pretty good selection including lower priced pots ($20 and up). I never ordered from them though and they're obviously not tea specialists given everything else they sell.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/wa_style/speci ... l?spid=111

Has anybody here done business with them?

[Chip]

Not I, but in checking out the site, I see items taking 7-14 days to ship. That is kinda crazy. I see items obtainable elsewhere for less as well. Still, some interesting items.

[TokyoB]

Chip,
I agree. Prices are a little high but I have been frustrated that there hasn't been an English language site with more Japanese teapot and pottery offerings. The selection is pretty decent and I do like the fact that some stuff is pretty cheap. Let me know if there are other sites you like. Of course my favorite is Artistic Nippon - I just received a small Tachi Masaki teapot from there today! Toru-san said these small pots were actually made for the domestic Chinese market.

[iannon]

you have checked out the tokoname site yes? tons of stuff there, be it all tokoname, but if thats something you are looking for?

[emeraldrobot]

Hey,
I just ran across this vendor of Japanese teapots - looks like a pretty good selection including lower priced pots ($20 and up). I never ordered from them though and they're obviously not tea specialists given everything else they sell.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/wa_style/speci ... l?spid=111

Has anybody here done business with them?

I've never used CD Japan for teaware (my first thought was "they sell teaware?" honestly) but I used to order from them for music all the time. I haven't ordered from them in a while, but I always had really good service with cd japan, and always remembered stuff coming in pretty quickly.

[Tead Off]

Chip,
I agree. Prices are a little high but I have been frustrated that there hasn't been an English language site with more Japanese teapot and pottery offerings. The selection is pretty decent and I do like the fact that some stuff is pretty cheap. Let me know if there are other sites you like. Of course my favorite is Artistic Nippon - I just received a small Tachi Masaki teapot from there today! Toru-san said these small pots were actually made for the domestic Chinese market.

TB, I own a small Masaki banko pot that I bought from Toru. From the first brew, the difference in green tea and some heavily roasted oolongs was quite noticeable. I think you'll enjoy this pot and the difference it makes with your tea.

[Salsero]

Has anybody here done business with them?

I looked at the site and absolutely had to have one of the banko teapots for < $18. Other banko pots I've seen have cost enough that I never even considered buying. I also ordered a couple of their wooden teapot stands.

I'll let you know how the experience goes.

[Tead Off]

Has anybody here done business with them?

I looked at the site and absolutely had to have one of the banko teapots for < $18. Other banko pots I've seen have cost enough that I never even considered buying. I also ordered a couple of their wooden teapot stands.

I'll let you know how the experience goes.

There are 2 elements that you have to be aware of with Bankoyaki. The first is the better ones have a sasame filter built-in. This is a ceramic filter inside the pot of the same material. Cheaper ones often use a stainless steel mesh.

The 2nd is reduction firing activating the clay. Not all banko are equal. Just like yixing wares, some better than others. Know your vendor is the name of the game.

[Salsero]

Know your vendor is the name of the game.

Thanks for the info. At this price, I don't think the vendor is making any big claims. I just hope it doesn't look like it is made of plastic!

[Victoria]

Thanks TokyoB! It's always great to find a site in English and that takes
Paypal.

[Salsero]

Well, it took 11 days by the time I got to the post office to pick up the EMS package. Had I been home on Friday when they first attempted delivery, it would have been 8 days ... so the shipping time wasn't too bad though I hate having to go down to the PO.

The pot photographs better than it looks. @ $18 it is a good deal, but it is no more than what one might expect for $18! Clearly the lowest quality kyuusu that I have ... but also the least expensive.


Unfortunately, having this one in hand is starting to make me think seriously that I should get one of the really good banko kyuusu that sell at considerably higher prices.

Like Victoria, I am extremely happy with the cute little teapot coaster/lid holders that I also ordered. They fill a need that I never had, but they are just so perfect and well-made that I love them. I suppose I could justify my affection for them by saying they they allow me to store the kyuusu uncovered to encourage drying between uses ... but I've managed to do that in the past without a special doodad.

[Salsero]

Unless I'm mistaken, Hibibi-an seems to be offering the same kyuusu at $40 with free shipping. Factoring in the shipping, the CDJapan price is a little lower, but ballpark.

[Victoria]

I placed another order, this site is just too easy.

[chamekke]

Oh wow, this is the first English-language site I've ever seen that offers chakouro ("tea incense burners").

[Salsero]

Oh dear, the section devoted to the small kyuusu is hard to avoid. The 100 ml sweetheart could work well for gyokuro, depending on the screen, and I love the shape of the tall 110 ml one. Actually that tall shape might work even better for gyokuro and fukamushi if the wet leaf tends to stay toward the bottom as you pour.

Victoria,
Did you get the perfect little white one with the three stylized flowers? I suppose the flowers are plum blossoms or cherry blossoms.

This is turning into a real find, TokyoB. Thanks!