Please Help ID My Japanese Gift Teapot

[artmom]

Can anyone tell me what type of teapot this is? It seems very well made.

TeaChat - Yoshi Gift 1976 1 sfw.jpg (19.92 KiB) Viewed 758 times

TeaChat - Yoshi Gift 1976 Potter mark sfw.jpg (13.9 KiB) Viewed 758 times

TeaChat - Yoshi Gift 1976 lid sfw.jpg (18.36 KiB) Viewed 758 times

More pics in next post.

[artmom]

TeaChat - Yoshi Gift 1976 drain sfw.jpg (15.77 KiB) Viewed 756 times

TeaChat- Yoshi gift 1976 sfw.JPG (13.61 KiB) Viewed 756 times

Thank you for looking, and, hopefully, identifying what type of teapot this is.

[Chip]

It appears to be a houjin, multiple spellings. It is Japanese and is used for brewing Gyokuro usually.

Is that also a wood box? This is fairly common for Japanese pots. Any markings on the box?

Could be Tokoname ... possibly Banko. I would bet Tokoname. Perhaps someone can read the character?

Great gift!

[artmom]

Thanks, Chip. The box belongs to one of the TC offers I got recently. The little houjin has been sitting behind glass doors with other precious (to me) items for 33 years! I thought it was a small replica when I received it, but since I joined TeaChat, I realized it was a full size teapot.

When Yoshi came to stay with us, he brought yukatas for all five of us (MIL lived with us), fans, etc. The paper weight I mentioned in the drinking vessel thread the other day was also a gift at that time. His parents and he were very grateful for us taking him into our family for almost a full year.

[Chip]

Ohhh, cool! So this is like new and at least 33 years old! And of sentimental value.

The lack of handle is due to the cooler brewing temps used for Gyokuro. And yes, they are often quite small. I have seen them as small as one ounce to 8 or more ounces. Most typically they are around 3-4 ounces.

If you ever decide to use it, since it has been sitting around all this time, I would soak it for a day.

[artmom]

Thanks again, Chip. I think I will use it, maybe when GD Samantha Lyn returns from Japan. A very special occasion. I think the tea will taste superb, because of the associations. Also, this little teapot is like a work of art; very skillfully made. The clay feels amazing. I know things that aren't used bring more money upon sale, but to me the sentimental value is worth far more.

I'm excited to let Yoshi know I finally have been educated re: the teapot.

[Chip]

That is an outstanding idea! The houjin will finally sing, and the 2 of you can listen ...