Copper-Tin Teapot

[wyardley]

Similar statements could be made about many sellers of Yixing. I am not arguing, I have just see this a lot over the years.

I've seen forum members make crazy claims about clay occasionally, but haven't actually encountered that many (credible or trusted) online sellers of Yixing making exaggerated or unlikely claims about the magic powers of their clay. I've seen sellers claim a pot is made of a certain type of clay, which may or may not be true, but rarely have I seen them make pseudo-scientific claims about clay or the way it's seasoned. And again, it's not just that he makes the claims, but the number of people who seem to buy into them. Also, his prices seem pretty insane.

Just for example, this article:
http://hojotea.com/article_e/mineral.htm
strikes me as one of the kookiest things I've ever seen online about teapots or clay.

[MarshalN]

@Shinobi - I don't have personal experience of these lining wearing off, but I have seen used ones that are older that have the original lining worn off. So, count me weary of these things.

@Chip - I think Will's distinction is important here. For me personally I find a lot of Hojo's claims to be pretty hard to verify and hardly credible. For example, his claim that older tetsubins are no good for water is definitely false, because I have had personal experience in this area that do not agree with his claims. He does, however, put everything in a really "scientific" sounding way that makes his claim sound authoritative, except it's nothing more than his sales pitch. I think you'll be hard pressed to find a Yixing seller who'll write something like the following

"A Qingshui clay pot is particularly suited for roasted oolongs because of the higher porosity and the correct level of iron content in the clay. The iron ions react with the roasted oolongs that brings out the best in the tea, and leaves a deeper aftertaste that lasts longer than any other clay for this particular type of tea."

Hojo makes this sort of claim all the time. I've never seen any other vendor online does anything remotely similar.

[David R.]

I really don't want to go deeper in this pro/anti Hojo conversation. At one point, every consumer is responsible for what he buys. If he/she likes it, there will be a report on this forum like for every other vendor.

a) his "followers" are almost cult-like in their devotion

I think what make people most passionate is the fact that when you order from Hojo, you don't just click on an order box on a website, but you have usually a pretty long talk with the man. Of course, this could be seen as a commercial thing, but bottom line is that you learn to know the man and he learns to know you.

And I think that some people here, myself included, have learnt over time to appreciate the man not only for his tea & teaware, but for his human qualities. So they will defend him against allegations, which sounds normal, as you would someone you know, especially from people who haven't tried his products or don't know him.

Great weekend to everyone !