Ode to the Kyusu

[Ferg]

Wow, it's been almost two months since the last, be it my last, post! This is my first kyusu made by Gafu Ito. It's been in storage for a few months, but I finally broke it out in time for this holiday weekend.

[jpo1933]

I remember seeing that around somewhere... had no idea it belonged to someone on teachat
Really love the glaze on it, I guess it was a one-off piece?
I feel bad for him being stuck in storage all this time though

[Ferg]

I remember seeing that around somewhere... had no idea it belonged to someone on teachat
Really love the glaze on it, I guess it was a one-off piece?
I feel bad for him being stuck in storage all this time though

Thanks jpo. The glaze on this one is really lovely. Super smooth to the touch, with an almost rubber-like texture around rim of lid in contact with pot. Pretty much best lid fit yet. Super snug. Best part, I can smell the clay through the glaze as slight parts are exposed.

This one took a bit of hunting to track down. Reached out to multiple contacts via FB and IG before finally landing upon one. I believe a few pieces of this variety, including side handled kyusu, were made near the beginning of this year. There were previous inquiries made on this one in particular, so I was shocked when informed it was still available. Only got it a month and a half back, at the time of my last post, so it hasn't been tucked away too long!

The real reason for the wait was the tea pairing suggestion direct from the potter himself. He suggested kamairicha, so I waited until the '17 shincha offerings were made available.

[jpo1933]

so jealous lucky buy! I would of snapped it up in a heart-beat too if I had the chance.
If its around 100ml then it would be even more perfect
Is some of the staining around the bottom from brewing? Or just part of the glaze?

[Ferg]

so jealous lucky buy! I would of snapped it up in a heart-beat too if I had the chance.
If its around 100ml then it would be even more perfect
Is some of the staining around the bottom from brewing? Or just part of the glaze?

It's 110ml in fact. My very own version of Japanese Yixing!

Yes, the areas that appear to be stains are just the clay underneath, part of natural glazing process. It arrived brand new, mint.

Really loving this one inhand. A couple more pictures, since you know I'm all about em.

[jpo1933]

Looks so good!
Can't get over the glaze x.x so nice
Hope you get lots of use out of it!

[Ferg]

Looks so good!
Can't get over the glaze x.x so nice
Hope you get lots of use out of it!

Thanks again jpo! I will be sure to make this one part of my weekly rotation. Enjoying a 2nd round of a kamairicha at the moment that hails from Amakusa island. A very new and unique experience to me, in both smell and taste.

I snapped a picture of my entire remaining teapot collection (which I don't like calling as I intend to actively use each) this morning. Over time, I have learned the hard way, that it's much better (at least in my case) to decide what type of teas you're going to drink in advance and only then seek out a teapot for that tea. Each teapot seen serves a purpose: the taller Hokujo in the back @ 220ml for fukamushi, the round shudei Gisui on the right @ 160-170ml for asamushi, the flat Gisui on the left @ 250ml for gyokuro, with the Gafu Ito up front @ 110ml for both kamairicha and guricha.

It's time for me to slow down...However, I may have placed an order (or two) direct with a potter, who always seems to be busy with exhibitions these days! I could hear back within this next month or perhaps a few years down the road. Probably the further out, the better! Can always get one more teapot just as a back-up for each tea type now, right?

[VoirenTea]

I have one kyusu and it is this one! Tokoname-yaki which I got in Japan, in the tea visitor-centre type place in Makinohara, Shizuoka where Nanaya has an icecream stand. (It was a family trip that was a long time in the planning).



I really liked the shape and colour, and when pouring the balance of the handle just feels great.





This pic shows the glaze to no-glaze transition best.

[Ferg]

I have one kyusu and it is this one! Tokoname-yaki which I got in Japan, in the tea visitor-centre type place in Makinohara, Shizuoka where Nanaya has an icecream stand. (It was a family trip that was a long time in the planning).

Nice first kyusu Voiren! What type of teas do you brew in it?

[Ferg]

Did I mention something about slowing down?

That was before this one presented itself to me. I have been expanding my connections with vendors, collectors, dealers, and even potters across Japan over this past year. I inquired of a search for a Yamada Emu, or Jozan IV. To my utter surprise, this came along instead. A Yamada Jozan III. To say I feel blessed would be an understatement. Truly, I'm not able to put this one into words just yet. I am grateful to hold the work of such a potter. This really belongs in a museum, but I will do my best to honor the man by using his work for its intended purpose, to brew tea.

I felt obliged to take pictures of it this evening as the stars aligned today. Both kyusu and a book recently purchased, Tokoname Teapot Maker's Directory (published in 1980), arrived on the same day!

I have to be brief because it is late this evening. I plan to slowly wake the pot up over these next few days in preparation of its first use this weekend. Something to look forward to.

Hope you enjoy the pics.

[Ferg]

Round 2.

[victoria3]

Mike awesome kyusu ! Wowa... I want to see more pictures over time, including stamp. Remember when I got your Shimizu Ken kyusu I posted this faceoff

Shimizu Ken Nosaka 200ml & Red Clay Tokoname 230ml by Yamada or Fugetsu L1060327_sm.jpg (25.02 KiB) Viewed 826 times

[VoirenTea]

Nice first kyusu Voiren! What type of teas do you brew in it?

Thank you! I use it for gyokuro, shincha and other sencha.

[Ferg]

Mike awesome kyusu ! Wowa... I want to see more pictures over time, including stamp. Remember when I got your Shimizu Ken kyusu I posted this faceoff

Thank you Victoria! It is incredible to hold in-hand. I personally haven't seen red clay such as this. It's something special. It does look very similar to your Yamada/Fugetsu pot. And yes, I remember that picture! Hope you're still enjoying the Shimizu.

At your request, here are a couple more pics for you.

[VoirenTea]

Ferg: those squish-joints are awesome! I didn't pay much attention to them in the larger pic.