Thinking about ordering this Tokoname tea pot

[oolong]

Hello there,

this is my first post here. In the last couple of weeks I have only been lurking and reading and now I thought I'd join the conversation.

I am from Germany and have been a tea lover the last 2-3 years. I have ordered quite a lot of tea accessoires from China. I have a very nice wooden tea table and glass accessoires for Gongfu Cha (like a gaiwan and tea strainer made of glass).

However, now I have discovered this nice Japanese tea pot:
http://www.tea-exclusive.de/Japanische- ... e-Tokoname
I really like the look but it is VERY expensive. It costs 145 Euro, which is about $189 or 17.370 Japanese Yen.
Now I would like to ask some experts: Is it worth the money? Would I be able to find it cheaper anywhere else? (Although I have tried to look already)

I'd like to use it to brew Japanese tea then. Currently I am only drinking Chinese tea (oolong, long jin and gunpoweder).

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Alex]

It doesn't look like its worth the cash to me. Its lacking something that I would expect in that price range, it just looks clumsy and cheap to my eye. If I saw it at a glance I'd imagine it would be in the $60 range. However I havent seen this artist before and I don't like the piece at all, so take my opinion with a pinch of sencha. I've never seen a high end Kyusu with a metal screen. Not my cup of tea at all.

If that's the sort of style you like have a look at this artist.

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

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

While those peices aren't to my taste either Teruyuki makes extremely high quality pieces, so if you like the look rest assured you'll be getting a highly functional superb handling kyusu.

If you want something cheaper as your first kyusu you can't go wrong with an entry level Tachi Masaki pot.

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/B ... biri2.html

Good clay, good function. And amazing value.

[oolong]

Hello Alex,

thanks so much for your response. So a kyusu shouldn't have a metal screen?

It doesn't necessarily have to be this one specific kyusu, but I like the look of it and that it has 360 ml. The only thing that keeps me from buying it is the price. So if you have any other suggestions?
The thing is that if I import it from outside the EU, I will still have to pay customs and taxes.

[Alex]

Its fine to have a metal screen. Personally I don't like them for aesthetics but also I don't like metal in the mix when brewing either.

Have a look on artisticnippon.com Even with import tax you could get something at a very good price.

360ml is also on the big side. I wouldnt go over 300ml now on a kyusu and my day to day at the moment is 150ml. What you'll find is as you buy more pots or/and get more into drinking nice teas you'll be after small pots. So it may be cost effective to just dip in at the 250ml range now rather then having to do so later.

[Chip]

+1 on that Kyusu ... never saw a metal screened Kyusu costing so much. They are usually in the lower price ranges and are mass produced (nothing wrong with mass produced, but not for that price). Metal screened Kyusu can be easier to use ... but like most I like to use clay screened.

+1 on ArtisticNippon. Great selection and customer service. Of course, shipping to Germany can have hidden costs such as customs fees.

+1 on size. Too big a Kyusu and it may be doomed to shelf decoration sooner than you may think. 250-270 ml is a nice size to start with. As Alex mentioned, steep sizes and thus pot sizes tend to get smaller with time and experience ... I started at 210 ml steeps and now brew 60-150 depending on the Japanese tea and the situation.

I am curious, have you had Japanese teas such as good quality Sencha?

[oolong]

Thanks for your opinion.
I am now really looking into getting another one and maybe from the place you recommended. It's just that none of the tea pots is really as appealing to me as the one I linked to.

Do you have other suggestions maybe of tea pots that look similar?
Teruyuki is already much in the same style.

Thanks.

[Alex]

Have a look here

http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/gallery.htm

And there was really nothing on here that tickled your fancy at all?

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... eindex.htm

Teruyuki is as close as you're going to get to that pot IMO.

Some more cheap pots here

http://www.yuuki-cha.com/japanese-teapo ... af590a3c2c

Maybe browse the Kyusu sticky and seeing some more kyusu-s in action with discussions will open you up to some other beautiful styles of pot.

[Chip]

[EDIT] Alex beat me to the punch a little.

You can contact AN via their contact page and ask if he (Toru) has something similar or can he get it!

Below there are artisan examples from another vendor. You can then click on one image, and it will open another page ... then click on the artisan name if it is blue .. . which will take you to the artisan's page which will have other offerings from the same artisan that may not be pictured elsewhere!

http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/gallery.htm

Below is their general and incomplete catalogue. You can email then and ask if they can get you something of a similar style. I would not disclose the price your vendor is charging however ...
http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/yubi13-ru/yubi13.htm

I have never used this vendor, but have looked numerous times. Other members have been satisfied. BUT be sure you clarify in communications that you are getting exactly what you think you are getting ... such as size, filter type, etc.

[Alex]

I havent bought from them yet either but I can tell you their comms are superb. Very quick and professional.

[oolong]

I have e-mailed Toru. That's a good idea. Let's see what he says.
Thanks for all your help.

[Alex]

Good luck! You're in good hands with Toru.