Wednesday TeaDay 9/17/08 Craving western teaware?

[Riene]

I adore Japanese tea ware, but I love fine English bone china even more. Bring on the Royal Albert! Silver spoons! Lace doilies! Tiered serving trays! The creamer and the sugar bowl and everything matching, though I love mis-matched teaware, too.

One day, when I have my mansion , I'm going to take tea in the conservatory, which will overlook my English style country garden. There will be scones and crumpets and little biscuits, and clotted cream and locally produced jam. And I will have a gorgeous tea set to show off ... *head in the clouds*

Amen. I love my English teaware, love the fragile thin cups, white lace-on-white pattern, the silver tray, the tiny spoons, the gleaming golden sugar crystals.

I'm not at all a fan of Asian style teaware, but I will not diss it.

[Space Samurai]

I voted for hate western/European tea ware.

As long as I wasn't the only one.

"Hate" is a strong word, but "don't really like" was too mild.

Western vs Asian are very different styles, rooted in different culture and history. While they serve the same purpose, to make tea, they're like night and day.

[chrl42]

I don't like european teawares.. it's too sissy.

[scruffmcgruff]

I wonder (another poll question, perhaps?) what percentage of Asian-style or Western-style teaware aficionados are male/female. Asian teawares tend to be less "sissy" or feminine than doilies, lace, tea cozies, etc; I wonder if this explains most of the polarization about this issue?

[Chip]

I wonder (another poll question, perhaps?) what percentage of Asian-style or Western-style teaware aficionados are male/female. Asian teawares tend to be less "sissy" or feminine than doilies, lace, tea cozies, etc; I wonder if this explains most of the polarization about this issue?

That would be incredibly brilliant!!! Wait, we already did that. Well, slightly different spin. I asked gong fu/gender and English/gender, but the emphasis was on brewing method, not the teaware. I could do it. Thanks.

Finishing the day with a rather uninspiring Kuki Houjicha. Still have some soggy leaf Alishan from earlier.

[Victoria]

Finishing the day off here with some iced 3rd steep Nilgiri from Lupicia.

[murrius]

[/quote]

That is a completely brilliant photo battra. I agree with Chip about it looking moon-like. I imagine you taking it during the Autumn Moon festival. Also, the sencha looks so inviting. Looking forward to tomorrows cup of Fukamushi sencha Maki already.

[Jack_teachat]

I feel that I have a certain prejudice against Western tea ware, because somehow in my mind it represents everything that is "wrong" with enjoying tea: 1. overbrewing in a huge teapot, 2. using milk and sugar, and 3. using tea bags...

Western vs Asian are very different styles, rooted in different culture and history. While they serve the same purpose, to make tea, they're like night and day.

One thing that nobody has mentioned is the fact that English or "Western" style teacups actually better suit modern day tea drinking. For example one of the reasons why handles were added to teacups in the first place was that westerners were the first to enjoy their tea 'hot' as opposed to in Chinese who preffered the method of making the tea in a single kettle and allowing it to cool before drinking, hence no need for a handle.

[Trioxin]

I wonder (another poll question, perhaps?) what percentage of Asian-style or Western-style teaware aficionados are male/female. Asian teawares tend to be less "sissy" or feminine than doilies, lace, tea cozies, etc; I wonder if this explains most of the polarization about this issue?

Not all english teawares are "sissy". I don't consider mine at all sissy.

[CynTEAa]

It's hard to expect a guy to enjoy sipping from a frou-frou cup. The Asian teaware tends to be gender neutral and makes it approachable for the dudes. I think that is a very good thing.
The artistry of the piece western or Asian and the functionality are what appeals to me. Although, if one were to peek in my cupboard they would find some hearty diner mugs. They don't break easily and tend to hold the heat for my morning cup. (Clumsy pre-caffeine)
Later in the day my wares tend to be Asian ~ either a gaiwan my little kyusu. Or some modern, usually glass items. There are also some whimsical pieces that I've mostly received as gifts, I don't use them but think they are cute and thoughtful on the part of the gift giver.

Exploring Asian teaware is a newer realm for me. I'm really enjoying the journey and resisting the urge to own one of everything.

[chamekke]

Western vs Asian are very different styles, rooted in different culture and history. While they serve the same purpose, to make tea, they're like night and day.

Depends on the teaware. Some of the more delicate Japanese porcelain yunomi (cups) are reminiscent of fine Western china teacups, especially when perched on dainty little chataku (saucers) - even though the chataku are generally made of plain or lacquered wood or metal!

I really do think of that combo as the Japanese equivalent of "getting out the bone china for Auntie's visit".

[chamekke]

I'm not sure how much we can generalize about the ruggedness of Eastern teawares and the comparative frou-frouness of Western ones. For sure, mention Western teawares and people usually think of china teacups. But I do have some Western teawares that are more "wabi" in nature, and there are some Japanese yunomi (and even chawan) that definitely verge on the frou-frou - with a few even crossing the verge and dancing on the other side.

If Chip creates a poll, it will be super-interesting to see whether there really is a gender split. I do feel somewhat reluctant to calling western wares (even the cup/saucer combos) "feminine" and the eastern wares "masculine". For one thing, that would make my preferences ipso facto male and I might have to grow a beard!*

*Although it would be right handy for observin' Talk Like A Pirate Day tomorrow. Yarr. Be drinkin' plenty o' tea grog, ye bilge rats!

[edkrueger]

My set of western tea ware is not sissy! http://www.fitzsu.com/rosenthal-gropius ... pq09rife55

[chamekke]

My set of western tea ware is not sissy! http://www.fitzsu.com/rosenthal-gropius ... pq09rife55

{agrees} Not sissy at all. Sleek and streamlined.

[CynTEAa]

My set of western tea ware is not sissy! http://www.fitzsu.com/rosenthal-gropius ... pq09rife55

Very nice and not at all frou frou. Cool!