time for my first kyusu!

[woozl]

Ok Ok I know it was bad....but it works on a couple of levels.
I figure Chip is so steeped in sencha he would be Tokaname flavored.

[iannon]

I bought the den's one for my daughter..works fine she loves it. Looking at Rishi ..have you checked out the Hiramaru one? has the fine mesh filter which may be more versatile for you? http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/hiramaru.html it Looks very nice too!

[Chip]

You can always use a tea ball and Tokoname flavored chips!

Like this one ?

Ok Ok I know it was bad....but it works on a couple of levels.
I figure Chip is so steeped in sencha he would be Tokaname flavored.

Have to try that theory ...

[Chip]

I bought the den's one for my daughter..works fine she loves it. Looking at Rishi ..have you checked out the Hiramaru one? has the fine mesh filter which may be more versatile for you? http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/hiramaru.html it Looks very nice too!

Yohen style kyusu-s are really nice! I have a Bizen Yohen, truly unique.

[TokyoB]

Yohen style kyusu-s are really nice! I have a Bizen Yohen, truly unique.

Agreed. That one at Rishi caught my eye as well. The description says it is glazed but it also says the sheen is enhanced through each infusion. So it is glazed but changes like an unglazed pot? Is is glazed on the inside? or at least is yours Chip?

[Topmounter]

You can't go wrong with the inexpensive Den's pot... use it, learn and you can always upgrade later and still have a spare.

[spot52]

I agree. After the first use of my pot from Den's, I dropped it in the sink and chipped the handle. Talk about a slippery booger. I'm glad it was an inexpensive lesson to learn.

[Ryoruki]

I really like my shudei kyusu from dens. I move around a lot since i'm still in college and this thing has survived several airplane flights, toting around in bags to friends/relatives, falling off a shelf (granted it was not a long fall and it was onto carpet) etc. the great thing is that it's $9, so if it breaks it's no great loss. it also pours a good sized cup for one.

i'd say buy a cheaper pot, and spend the rest of the money on better leaf. You can always upgrade to a more expensive/higher quality clay kyusu later if you feel so inclined.

[entropyembrace]

The Artistic Nippon would be my first choice because it looks lovely and has a ceramic mesh screen at the spout.

Second choice would be Rishi's because it also has a ceramic mesh screen at the spout (I'd like a picture of it though) But I don't think it's as pretty as the Artistic Nippon.

Third choice for me would be the cheap one from Den's the mesh screen is only at the spout but it's metal and the pot doesn't look as nice as the others.

Dead last is the O-cha because it has a basket filter and I hate those.

[hooksie]

Dead last is the O-cha because it has a basket filter and I hate those.

Any particular reason?

[Geekgirl]

Not crazy about basket filters myself. They tend to keep the leaves all balled up. They are convenient for teas that are very fine, or for CTC like Darjeelings, otherwise, I prefer to brew in pot, rather than in a basket.

I really like that hiramiru someone posted from Rishi. I have to admit I'm very tempted. While from an artistic POV, I prefer sasame (clay) screens in my pots, from a practical standpoint, I'm really enjoying this little pot I bought by mistake that has a 360d wrap around SS mesh, like the hiramiru. Nothing clogs that pot, it's a piece of cake to clean, and just very easy.

[Sydney]

I haven't had that specific cheap pot from Den's, but have had 2 other cheap kyusu from Den's and have been categorically satisfied.

And I'm something of a Japanese green tea snob.

[Buzz Fledderjohn]

Dead last is the O-cha because it has a basket filter and I hate those.

The O-Cha pot doesn't have a basket filter. It has a flat screen that covers the spout and runs above the bottom of the pot. Therefore, it keeps the leaves suspended above the bottom away from any residual water after the pour.

[entropyembrace]

Their diagram looked like a basket filter. It's mostly personal preference because I tend to drink whole leaf teas that need the full space of the pot to open up...suspending them above the bottom of the pot limits that.

[Chip]

Not really ...

The theory is to allow full and rapid pour, which it does well I bet. Then the leaf does not sit in any leftover water in the pot since it is raised slightly.

It is much better room wise than an infuser for instance.