Ode to the Kyusu

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How many Kyusu do you own? And bonus question, how many do you use? So, 2 answers are permitted.

1
89
20%
2-3
96
22%
4-5
42
10%
6-7
14
3%
8-10
10
2%
11-14
6
1%
15 or more
10
2%
I USE 1
63
14%
2-3
67
15%
4-5
23
5%
6-7
6
1%
8-10
3
1%
11-14
3
1%
15 or more
10
2%
 
Total votes: 442
Aug 4th, '12, 17:55
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by xmfi » Aug 4th, '12, 17:55

I bought this small kyusu in Kitakamakura last August. It doesn't pour very well, but makes good tea and, apparently completely handmade, has a lot of character.

Image
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Aug 5th, '12, 14:31
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Alex » Aug 5th, '12, 14:31

200ml Kyusu by Shimizu Ken

Lovely! :mrgreen:

And the 16 hole direct filter handles Fuka with ease which I was very pleased about.
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Thanks for your help David. :D
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Aug 5th, '12, 15:51
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Chip » Aug 5th, '12, 15:51

xmfi wrote:I bought this small kyusu in Kitakamakura last August. It doesn't pour very well, but makes good tea and, apparently completely handmade, has a lot of character.
I quite like the shape and texture, xmfi. Why doesn't it pour very well?
Alex wrote:200ml Kyusu by Shimizu Ken

Lovely! :mrgreen:

And the 16 hole direct filter handles Fuka with ease which I was very pleased about.
Just so we know, will you be selling this one anytime soon? :lol: Sorry, JK, kinda.

Was this from Hojo?

The only direct filter kyusu I have purchased thus far is Bizen which works surprisingly well ... (well, not including more than a few Hobin which are generally speaking kyusu as well).
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Aug 5th, '12, 16:57
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Alex » Aug 5th, '12, 16:57

Not selling on this one :mrgreen: . Having switched to just drinking sencha last year I had a lot to learn so bought quite a few kyusus some I liked some I didn't. But that's fine...it was a good ride and I learnt a lot and got my best friend into Sencha at the same time. :D

Yeah from Hojo. The price was high but totally worth it and luckily it didnt pick up import tax which would have been around $60+. I went for slow shipping and it paid off!
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Aug 5th, '12, 17:37
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by David R. » Aug 5th, '12, 17:37

Nice indeed ! :)

So how it behaves compared to the Hokujo's or other kyusu you've encountered before ?
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Aug 6th, '12, 03:20
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Alex » Aug 6th, '12, 03:20

The Hokujo's effect is actually very mild on the tea next to this pot. While this is very obvious. The tea from it is very deep and smooth and the after-taste is looooooooooooooooooong.

I was expecting something like the banko (Tachi) but its effect is even more apparent then those. I did do some side by side testing but even tasting on its own the difference was very apparent.

Its also very handy if you over-brew, still comes out extremely soft.

Another thing I really like is the sound and feel of the clay. Its basically like my pot by Koshin. Very metallic sounding, with a good ring.

Service from Hojo was superb as I expected. And the samples were well thought out from our conversations.
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Aug 6th, '12, 03:59
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by David R. » Aug 6th, '12, 03:59

Looks like you're enjoying yourself ! :wink:
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Aug 26th, '12, 07:32
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by David R. » Aug 26th, '12, 07:32

New friend ! :)

It's been a while since I have desired a porcelain kyusu for my delicate futsumushi sencha. Hours were spent on the net. This is the result. It is supposed to be a "a fine Meiji period (late 19th early 20th century) Arita Imari Hirado blue and white porcelain teapot Saki Pot signed Hirado Imamura Yajibei." Don't know if that's true or not but it came with a decent price (around $50) and I love it !
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no golf ball filter, that was not easy...
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Aug 27th, '12, 02:32
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Alex » Aug 27th, '12, 02:32

Wow looks stunning. Is that sub 200ml as well? looks like it.

That's a really great find. Knob of the lid looks very ergonomic.
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Aug 27th, '12, 08:16
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by David R. » Aug 27th, '12, 08:16

Thanks Alex ! Its capacity is exactly 200ml. Not only a nice pot but very handy too. Here's a close-up and the handle and spout :
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Aug 27th, '12, 23:32
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by the_economist » Aug 27th, '12, 23:32

beautiful kyusu!
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Aug 28th, '12, 03:11
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Stentor » Aug 28th, '12, 03:11

Beautiful pot and in great condition! Enjoy!
A small porcelain kyusu is definitely on my "list".
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Aug 28th, '12, 04:38
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by Alex » Aug 28th, '12, 04:38

Perfect size and proportions. 8)
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Aug 28th, '12, 06:22
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by David R. » Aug 28th, '12, 06:22

Thanks. This is the eBay shop where I bought it. It has quite a few similar pots among other things. I can't say for sure that what is sold is exactly what it is supposed to be, but I am happy with my purchase, and that is what matters to me.
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Aug 29th, '12, 19:59
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Re: Ode to the Kyusu

by bambooforest » Aug 29th, '12, 19:59

Greetings people of the forum,

I'm in the market for a Bentley. Just want to ask a few questions to the Tokoname wizards.

From my studies, there are two kinds of clay mesh screens. Well, at least according to this video: http://youtu.be/tJUtv0n5rew

There is a Fukamushi Clay Sasame Screen and an Asamushi Clay Sasame Screen. The former has smaller holes. The latter has larger holes.

1. Does anyone have a preference and why? I plan on using this teapot for fukamushi and asamushi.

2. Do clay sasame screens handle fukamushi teas well? Or is that just a myth that sasame purists like to throw around?

3. Is there any drawback to only filling your teapot half full when making sencha?

Thank you. And have a nice day.
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