Using Houhin or Shiboridashi instead of Gaiwan, and best all-purpose Japanese teapot

[Cifer]

Hello everyone,

I am currently thinking about which teaware to buy to be able to brew most Chinese and Japanese teas.

Originally I was thinking of a 100 ml gaiwan for Chinese teas and a porcelain or glazed clay (as I don't want to dedicate it to one type of tea) kyusu for Japanese teas.

However, I'm wondering

a) what the difference between an "easy gaiwan" (the ones with a spout) and a shiboridashi/houhin with a similar shape (I've seen many that have a shape similar to a gaiwan) actually is, and if there would be any general disadvantage to using a porcelain or glazed clay houhin of a similar shape over a gaiwan with a spout or a shiboridashi. It seems to be the same thing but with a built-in strainer, so why could it be worse?

b) whether there would be any actual disadvantage to brewing all the Chinese teas in a houhin instead of a gaiwan

c) what the best teaware to brew a variety of Japanese teas would be. As stated above, I assume a porcellain or glazed clay kyusu, but I am not certain.

Thank you!

[nee_26]

Hello! I know it`s a late reply, but I can tell you, if you want to brew chinese and japanese teas on the same vessel, get a porcelain or glazed shiboridashi. I actually own on and I`m very happy with it, the major advantage is with japanese teas, that tend to be broken sometimes, in a gaiwan you can pour those teas out but a strainer is needed, but with a good shiboridashi there is no problem at all. I think the only disadvantage with a shibo is that the pour won`t be as fast as a gaiwan sometimes, but then it depends from each shibo, mine is pretty fast, but only if I use whole leaf tea, broken tea leaves tend to slow down the pour a bit, but even then, I think not all chinese teas requires a fast pour. I think other problem would be the price, shibos tend to be not so cheap and they are most available on clay. If pour speed, price and a little bit of research won`t bother you at all, I think a shibo is worth it.
Here some links to one`s that I like!
https://store.huls.com.sg/products/t-houhin-l-white
https://creha.net/products/detail/68
https://www.kyoto-wel.com/item/IS81078N00676.html
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/shoi ... hp_2327384# (I own this one!)