Teaware fundamentals: which accessories for which tea?

[fire_snake]

On the topic of gaiwans . . .

Would someone please provide a link to Dragon Tea house (DTH?)

I plan on getting a high-quality gaiwan and cup set and am willing to spend a bit more provided the quality is up to snuff.

I must say, though, this has such charm:

http://www.thinkbeijing.com/Peking-Oper ... st-59.html

What about a celadon set?

I'm primarily looking for an alternative to glass for my Dragon Well brewing (and Chinese greens in general.) Any special qualities of porcelain vs. celadon glaze, etc? How much would the material matter in terms of tea flavour?

Christian

[wyardley]

I'm primarily looking for an alternative to glass for my Dragon Well brewing (and Chinese greens in general.) Any special qualities of porcelain vs. celadon glaze, etc? How much would the material matter in terms of tea flavour?

Get the Tea Gallery thin porcelain gaiwan.
http://www.theteagallery.com/category_s/12.htm

[JRS22]

Get the Tea Gallery thin porcelain gaiwan.
http://www.theteagallery.com/category_s/12.htm

+1

Beautifully made
Small is perfect for puerh
Medium is perfect for chinese greens and whites
I have my eye on those porcelain cups - just the right size for one person drinking puerh or two people sharing green tea.

[fire_snake]

I'm primarily looking for an alternative to glass for my Dragon Well brewing (and Chinese greens in general.) Any special qualities of porcelain vs. celadon glaze, etc? How much would the material matter in terms of tea flavour?

Get the Tea Gallery thin porcelain gaiwan.
http://www.theteagallery.com/category_s/12.htm

Sublime.

The opera mask set is high on my list, but this one is unlike any I've seen. Thank you.

[fire_snake]

Another tea-noob question, folks. Please bear with me.

In terms of equipment, it's:

• Gaiwan (or glassware) for Dragonwell
  - accessories: porcelain cups (part of a set, I assume) and?
  
  Kyusu for Sencha (I'm told we don't use a gaiwan for Sencha)
  - accessories: yunomi (what kind/material)? What else?
  
  Tokoname? Banko? Hagi? Bizen? Which is best for a Kyusu? I've read that banko is usually better, but I've seen some beautiful hagi pieces as well
  
  This Bizen-ware, for example, is gorgeous:
  
  http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/b ... nindex.htm
  
  Chawan for Matcha
  - accessories: chasen, chasaku,(mizusashi?)

[Alex]

(I'm told we don't use a gaiwan for Sencha)

I use a Gaiwan even though I own a lovely Banko. There's no rules. Just buy what you think you really fancy and test it out.

There's no "best" just what you like and prefer. But obviously listening to the general recommendations can of course be a good guide. So in regards to the kyusus you're looking at they are all good but go for the one that sings to your heart

[Chip]

You can make each teaware purchase as simple or as complicated as you want.

I have been drinking sencha for 12 years and do not own a banko. I do have a nice assortment, but never felt the urgency to "have to have" a banko. I do have Tokoname, unglazed and glazed, cheap and expensive ... I have also purchased Hagi and Bizen, Arita, and Shigaraki Kyusu-s. One day I will buy a banko, no doubt.

As long as the screen will work for sencha, you can use it, though I do believe you will have differing results depending on your choice.

Buy what you want/need, need/want what you buy.

[Oni]

If you buy a teapot, a kyusu, for japanese tea, take into consideration what teas you will use, and for how many people will you brew tea.
For deepsteamed tea usually a stainless steel mesh filter is better, ceramic filter is smaller and usually good for mid steamed and lightsteamed tea, usually a 250 ml kyusu is good for 2 - 3 person, a houhin can be good for a single serving, a 300 ml + teapot is usually used for 3 to 5 person.
No ceramic region is better than the other, there are diffrent grades and diffrent levels of craftmanship and diffrent materials are used, generally I am satisfied with high quality handmade teaware, like the ones artistic nippon, Horaido, Yuuki-cha, maiko and Hojotea, sells.
It is worth buying high quality ceramics, if you buy lower grade stuff, later you will come to buy a high quality teaware that will make your o;d one absolite. I can highly recommend Tachi Masaki`s Banko ware, look at Hojo "teaGods" site.