What do I have here?

[witches brew]

I found this pretty little Japanese pot but I'm not sure what to call it. The brown finish is rough to the touch, possibly not glazed at all. inside, there is an oval screen along the front. No handle at all.



Must a kyusu have an handle? Is it called something else when it does not?

Is this a proper pot for green tea?

[Chip]

This is a kyusu...generally speaking. Kyusu simply means teapot I believe in Japan.

This style is for brewing Gyokuro which is brewed at a lower temp, thus the handle is not needed.

The name slips my mind right now...I am sure someone will beat me to it.

[daughteroftheKing]

Wow, is that pretty! Love the touch of blue glaze on the side.
Don't know enough to know what it's called, but I know enough to know I like it .

[augie]

That is an amazing kyusu. Enjoy it!

[witches brew]

All I knew is that it was pretty and it wasn't expensive at all (<$25), so I decided to buy it first and figure it out later. It was the only of it's kind in the store, and I knew I would regret it if I passed it by.

[scruffmcgruff]

The word might be "hohin," though the spout looks slightly different than most. Nice find!

[skywarrior]

Very nice! Unusual!

[Space Samurai]

I think you could call it a shiboridashi.

[hop_goblin]

This is a kyusu...generally speaking. Kyusu simply means teapot I believe in Japan.

This style is for brewing Gyokuro which is brewed at a lower temp, thus the handle is not needed.

The name slips my mind right now...I am sure someone will beat me to it.

Chip, impressive! I felt as if I were reading an except from The Antique Road Show!

[olivierco]

I found this pretty little Japanese pot but I'm not sure what to call it. The brown finish is rough to the touch, possibly not glazed at all. inside, there is an oval screen along the front. No handle at all.

What size is it?

[Chip]

Chip, impressive! I felt as if I were reading an except from The Antique Road Show!

This is an unusual one, usually the spout is more a part of the body of the pot itself, like some of the modified gaiwan I see offered, forget what they are called too.

Yet another parallel between Chinese and Japanese tea and teaware.

[hop_goblin]

Chip, impressive! I felt as if I were reading an except from The Antique Road Show!

This is an unusual one, usually the spout is more a part of the body of the pot itself, like some of the modified gaiwan I see offered, forget what they are called too.

Yet another parallel between Chinese and Japanese tea and teaware.

So, how much is the insurance and auction value! ?

[witches brew]

What size is it?

It's 300ml when filled to the brim.

[Chip]

What size is it?

It's 300ml when filled to the brim.

Then it is not a typical shiboridashi which is more typically 100 ml or less for gyokuro.

Its appearance of the spout also being atypical.

It does not completely fit into any of the all norms for sencha nor gyokuro. But do to the size, I would try using it for sencha...but since you brew lot of "witch's brews," if it is glazed on the inside, go for it. Just be careful to avoid burning your hands when handling.

[witches brew]

This has been such an interesting discussion, every bit as interesting as this odd little pot itself. Who knows what the pottery company had in mind for it?

I've had fun googling hohin and shiboridashi, and seeing what you mean about the traditional forms.

I am planning to use it for sencha. It's not glazed, so it would not be ideal for tisanes.

If I find something unique on next week's shopping trip, I'll be sure to share.