Ferg: Yixing, Kyusu, & Caddy (for sale); Tea & Cups (for free w/purchase)

[Ferg]

All,

I’ve decided to list some additional pots, both Yixing and Kyusu, and a Sakura Natsume tea caddy. I simply have too many pots sitting around and am becoming more of a minimalist over time. Looking to clear off the shelves a bit. Please note, that free tea and cups will accompany each purchase made. International 2-day shipping is reflected in the prices below.

All of the Yixing were obtained from David over at Essence of Tea. I purchased them over the past few months and just got around to finally opening them a few days back. While they appear to be of great clay quality, they are simply too small for my use. I’m used to pots closer to 100ml in size. I didn’t realize just how small they were until I held them in my hands. But I know these little ones have their fans. I will be providing samples of two EoT offerings with each pot, including the 2000 Camphor Aroma Sheng Puerh and previously available 2013 Half-handmade ShuiXian Wuyi Yancha.

First pot up is a 40ml early 80's Factory 2 HeiNi Shui Ping. I ran water through it once, so it’s brand new. Sticker still intact. – $156

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...only can post 3 pictures at a time.

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and the last of the bunch.

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I have two of the 1987-1993 50ml Factory 1 Zini Fang teapots. These were from a batch of 9 total available and they went pretty quickly. I was going to gift the extra out, but I don’t believe it’d get much use as the individual typically makes tea for two. I ran water through one of the two, so they’re also brand new and unused with stickers still intact. – $115 each ****ONE SOLD! ONE MORE AVAILABLE!!***

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second round of pics. have to type text to attach...

[jayinhk]

I'll take the F1 Fang! I didn't buy one because I was busy getting scammed.

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All Kyusu and the Sakura caddy will come with one of three 100 gram bags from O-Cha (see below) of 2016 SHINCHA! I stocked up on a bunch of extra back in mid-May of this year. All tea is brand new and still sealed. They have been sitting in cold storage in my fridge. The choice of tea is first-come, first-served.

Uji Asamushi Sencha "Aoi"

Kagoshima Sencha Yutaka Midori

Kagoshima Sencha Sae Midori

In sequential order below. It won't allow me to inset pictures between text.

[Ferg]

First Kyusu is a Tokoname Hand-made Mogake Rihi Teapot Kyusu by Gisui 220ml. The clay is rough to the touch and pear-skinnned, or freckled, throughout. – $170

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round 2...

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and last picture.

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Second Kyusu is a Tokoname Mogake Flat Teapot Kyusu by Gisui 250ml. This shape is quite unique from Gisui’s normal offerings. It’s a touch too big for me at 250ml, but otherwise an awesome pot, especially the wide-brimmed lid for viewing while brewing. – $223

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Round 2.

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Last picture (of the bunch )

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I’ve used each pot a couple dozen times over the past half year. The clay is something special. I believe them to both be of Honshudei and appear to be from older batches made compared to his recent offerings. Over time, I’ve found myself more drawn to these higher fired clays over the shudei variety.

Next up is a vintage Japanese Cherry Sakura Wood Bark Tea Caddy Container Natsume + Storage Box – $114. I purchased this about a year back from eBay vendor ‘shopenjapan’. Based on inquires I made at the time, she had the following to say regarding the caddy:

“I estimate the tea caddy to be about fifty years old and there is no smell inside. I would definitely use it on a daily basis to enhance my tea drinking experience. It is one of the finest Japanese cherry wood bark tea caddies I've seen. The photos don't do it justice. I hope this is helpful.”
and
“Rest assured, the tea caddy was made in Japan. I purchased it about five years ago at an art and antique show in Kyoto. And, yes, the lid slides down on its own when released.”

A few things to note – 1) while the lid slides with ease, it doesn’t completely on its own, 2) it has a zipper jacket, which many of these do, and 3) there are flakes of the tree bark you can see/feel due to its old age. I do believe it to be authentic, but don’t drink enough sencha on a daily basis to justify keeping it. The ‘old smell’ was quickly gone after I stored sencha in it several times. Tea leaf dust still inside!

[Ferg]

round 2