Show Off Your Pots and Cups VII

[Chip]

The kyusu is engraved by hand by the craftsman Kodo. The kyusu itself is handmade by his brother Setsudo.
I've always liked their work, but this is the first one I've seen from them with this theme.

Yeah, I was checking that one out as well.
I have always liked dragons and teaware,
it is a little rare to see it in Japanese teaware,
much more common in Chinese. This one even has a decidely Chinese flair to it.

Their work has always caught my eye. Congrats and enjoy!

[britt]

The kyusu is engraved by hand by the craftsman Kodo. The kyusu itself is handmade by his brother Setsudo.
I've always liked their work, but this is the first one I've seen from them with this theme.

Yeah, I was checking that one out as well.
I have always liked dragons and teaware,
it is a little rare to see it in Japanese teaware,
much more common in Chinese. This one even has a decidely Chinese flair to it.

Their work has always caught my eye. Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks Chip. I actually thought this one had a Chinese flair to it as well. If you replaced the side handle with a conventional one (180 degrees from the spout instead of 90) it would like like a large Yixing.

If you were considering purchasing one yourself, and if this was the only one Toru had (I think it was), you can contact him and he can probably have them make another one specifically for you. He's done a great job getting special orders filled when asked in the past. The Japanese economy has been affected by the dollar decline so I would think special orders for pricey items would be welcomed even more now. Good luck should you decide to order one!

[britt]

until I saw this one posted on Artistic Nippon; I couldn't resist purchasing "just one more".

Wow, Britt, that is spectacular!

Thanks Salsero. I had actually been looking for a more artistic, conventional Tokoname because most of what I have are the rustic type and none of them are the traditional Tokoname red color. I also like dragons, so when this popped up at AN I was quite surprised. I tried to resist, but no luck!

[Chip]

Well, AN has not listed the dragon kyusu as sold, so maybe they have more than one.

I recently got this one with "TeaBucks."
It is possibly the nicest working kyusu I have ever owned
and feels GREAT.
It has a sasame screen. The craftsman is Kenji

*LOVES it.*

Textured kokudei teapot by Kenji

[hop_goblin]

The kyusu is engraved by hand by the craftsman Kodo. The kyusu itself is handmade by his brother Setsudo.
I've always liked their work, but this is the first one I've seen from them with this theme.

Yeah, I was checking that one out as well.
I have always liked dragons and teaware,
it is a little rare to see it in Japanese teaware,
much more common in Chinese. This one even has a decidely Chinese flair to it.

Their work has always caught my eye. Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks Chip. I actually thought this one had a Chinese flair to it as well. If you replaced the side handle with a conventional one (180 degrees from the spout instead of 90) it would like like a large Yixing.

If you were considering purchasing one yourself, and if this was the only one Toru had (I think it was), you can contact him and he can probably have them make another one specifically for you. He's done a great job getting special orders filled when asked in the past. The Japanese economy has been affected by the dollar decline so I would think special orders for pricey items would be welcomed even more now. Good luck should you decide to order one!

Nice pot Britt!

[tenuki]

Textured kokudei teapot by Kenji

wow. just.. wow.

[Chip]

Textured kokudei teapot by Kenji

wow. just.. wow.

Its beauty is more than skin deep too. It is shuweet ... perfect, in every regard.
.

[Salsero]

It is possibly the nicest working kyusu I have ever owned

How so? It's visual charms are very apparent, but in what way does it work so well?

[Chip]

It is possibly the nicest working kyusu I have ever owned

How so? It's visual charms are very apparent, but in what way does it work so well?

Glad you called me on that. This is a tale of 2 kyusu.
Another kyusu pictured below and purchased at the same time from the same vendor,
Artistic Nippon for almost twice as much. The craftsman is Seiho.

First the lid/opening on the Kenji pot is huge which enables ease of putting leaf in,
pouring water in, and getting leaf out afterwards.
It is a breeze to clean.
The large lid fits like a dream and is as beautiful as the rest of the kyusu.
It is actually amazing considering the size.
The seal is perfect, placing my finger over the hole immediately halts flow completely,
not even a drop for at least several seconds.
Sasame screen of the modern era.
The handle is perfect in length and shape and feel,
Seems like that should be an automatic, but it isn't.
The overall feel is just so sensually pleasing. She is a siren.
I see her on my shelf and just want to reach for it each time,
requiring discipline on my part to share the brewing duties with other kyusu.
The texture is satiny smooth, but the indentations covering the pot
and lid add an interesting grip and feel.
Some may call her ugly, to me she is beautiful.

The kyusu below purchased at the same time is aesthetically very nice to me
since I love momiji on teaware, but note the small opening/lid,
the handle is a full .5" shorter and requires 2 hands to pour confidently,
cover up the hole and flow is greatly reduced, but not the perfect seal.
This pot was made for form over function it seems, IMHO.

Maple Leaves Teapot(round) by Seiho

[Salsero]

This is a tale of 2 kyusu...

Wow, Chip, what a great object lesson in the ceramics of teapots. Another reminder that a great ceramicist may not be a great teapot maker. I think the Japanese are the masters of making beautiful and fragile works designed for every day use.

You've reminded me just what an accomplishment it is when it all works well.

[Chip]

This is a tale of 2 kyusu...

Wow, Chip, what a great object lesson in the ceramics of teapots. Another reminder that a great ceramicist may not be a great teapot maker. I think the Japanese are the masters of making beautiful and fragile works designed for every day use.

You've reminded me just what an accomplishment it is when it all works well.

Regardless, I do use the Momiji almost every day, typically for an asamushi.
Two handed, it pours great and I feel confident holding it.
One handed, I feel aware of the shortness of the handle
and it rests uncomfortably in the palm of my hand, feels unnatural.

I asked Toru about the Momiji pot, he did share some alternative single hand grips.
Normally, I basically use a "right golf hand grip,"
with the handle being the shaft, my thumb naturally extends
without thinking over the lid without a second thought.

I will also give Toru's suggestions a try, but he did acknowledge that the handle is "a bit too short for male hands."
He actually sent demo photos using this pot, so he took significant time and effort to assist me,
even if I did not ask for it, showing that he wanted me to be comfortable and fully enjoy the kyusu.

"A+ for CS."
.

[Salsero]

He actually sent demo photos using this pot, so he took significant time and effort to assist me, even if I did not ask for it, showing that he wanted me to be comfortable and fully enjoy the kyusu.

One more big vote for Toru! He really does go above and beyond the call of duty.

[Amanita Eater]

I was wondering why activity stopped dead cold on this topic, then realized I just wasn't getting the notification emails any more!

Here's what I'm waiting on --- an Etsy purchase, a potter that I can't believe hasn't studied in Japan (he studied under potters that studied in Japan...)







He has a couple more woodfired yunomi listed if any one is interested. His Etsy name is 'phillipspottery.'

[Victoria]

Nice, congrats.

[tomd]

Heres my latest. Made it myself. The main body was done on a potters wheel. Nice and thick walls hold heat in well for pu erh. 100 mL