Great Hagi everyone! All so lovely as only Hagi can be. Thanks Maitre-tea, Geek, Adam, Victoria, and Dreamer.
Working on SO #12. Japan seems to slow down for the entire month of December.
But it will be worth the wait!
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Retreat then Re Treat!
Regarding the Biwa-s. I like to think of the one leaker (out of 3 received) as a prodigal child and worth the added effort. Seems more rewarding perhaps.
Retreat!!!! I say this after using the leaker yesterday after so many other times (guessing well over 100 steeps with no leaks) ... and I noticed quite a bit of moisture ... and a slightly tacky feel. Oh nozzz ... So, just tested it with PLAIN HOT WATER ... and TEA leaked out.

Pretty funny actually.
Well, it seems that the corn starch is slowly pushed through the clay over time, and it came to the surface en masse yesterday. Thus the plug is pushed through. So, I will Re Treat ... I think.
I just decided to stick water on the stove and bring it to a boil, then turn off and allow to cool with the water ... and yikes, as I was writing this sentence, I remembered the pot was on HIGH ... boiling wildly for I bet a half hour with the Biwa in it. Anyway, seems to be OK. But the water looks like very weak tea.
