Ode to the Kyusu

[jayinhk]

Got my kyusu today...wow. My sencha tastes so much better than it did in my easy gaiwan (spout and handle). I'm absolutely in love...taking it to Mumbai with me tomorrow! Funny, I was there earlier this year and I was all about the oolong; now all I drink is Chinese and Japanese greens!

[Alex]

I use to love oolong......don't drink any Chinese teas any more....just Indian and Japanese

[jayinhk]

Living in HK, I have access to better, cheaper Chinese tea than you are likely to find in the west--it'd be shame for me not to drink it! Ironically it's easier to buy good Indian tea overseas than it is in India (I'll be there in a little over 24 hours)!

[Have Some Tea]

Mogake, or glaze, on the lid and back side of the lovely pot?

Yes! The glaze is present and shines on top of the already rustic appearance.

Kyusu.2.jpg

[debunix]

Beautiful.

[Have Some Tea]

Beautiful.

Since you really like it, here's another view of the top.

And if you really really like it you can get it here for a very nice price.
http://www.japanwelt.de/en/cooking-dini ... taiko.html

Gassho,
Have Some Tea

Kyusu.3 copy.jpg

[Se7en8ight]

Hello to All Kyusu Experts and Aficionados

Please excuse my noob-ness in general and in regards to Japanese Tea ware. I hope I am posting in the right thread.

quick intro:
Where I'm from we have stores that specifically sell pre-owned stuff from Japan. These things are packed to the rafters with things piled one on top of the other. They buy things sight unseen in bulk and bring it in shipping containers. Things that run the gamut from used slippers, old dolls, furniture, cookware, comic books, ceramics, toys, bikes, apparel, to whatever... you name it they have it. I'm not sure what it's called or if it exists elsewhere.

Anyway, this is how I found myself recently acquiring 4 Kyusu's. Under a pile of ceramics I found this wee teapot. I was hoping I could ask for some help in identifying what it is... if it is any good? maybe valuation... no plans of selling it or am I fantasizing that it's worth a bazillion dollars, I just want to get a bit of an education about what I own.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm not sure what information to volunteer to help identify what kind of pot this is but I will try to describe it as I am able

When you hit the lid against the body of the pot it gives out a crisp and clear "ting" literally like a bell. It's quite light and frighteningly thin. I'm fairly certain it has no glazing but it has quite a metallic sheen on it.

Thank you so much in advance

78


Here are the Photos

[Se7en8ight]

Here are the second set of photos

I think the chop says "陽昭"

[Chip]

Reminds me a bit of Banko-Yaki, but could be Tokoname.

It has obviously been used heavily and for a long time and not cleaned ... this is common for Japanese clay, unglazed Kyusu. They are rarely if ever cleaned, just rinsed after using. Thus a significant patina will develop over time.

Perhaps you can take a photo of the screen ...

[Se7en8ight]

Reminds me a bit of Banko-Yaki, but could be Tokoname.

It has obviously been used heavily and for a long time and not cleaned ... this is common for Japanese clay, unglazed Kyusu. They are rarely if ever cleaned, just rinsed after using. Thus a significant patina will develop over time.

Perhaps you can take a photo of the screen ...

Hi Chip,

Thank you for replying so quickly It always worries me when moderators reply... I always fear that I may be doing something wrong or posted something inappropriate. I have issues with paranoia... I'm working thru them.

by screen do you mean this?

78

[Chip]

I am a nice tea sipping mod ...

Well, my guess is still Banko.

Try brewing before cleaning and see how it performs. You may or may not want to "restart" the kyusu.

[Se7en8ight]

Thanks Chip,

I already "restarted" the kyusu, heaven knows where it's been or how it was stored or for how long. The place I got it from isn't known for keeping things hygienic, for all I know it was shipped in with used socks and such. LOL.

I did the full germaphobe treatment. Soaked in gin and peroxide. Then boiled in hot salt water! then boiled again in clean water.

Even with all of that, the tea stains remain. I also soaked it overnight in water... the water came out lightly colored. This is some mother of a patina :


78

PS can someone educate me why the screen/filter is important aspect of appreciating teapots?

[Peacock]

PS can someone educate me why the screen/filter is important aspect of appreciating teapots?

They can be difficult for a potter to make.

[Se7en8ight]

Thank you Peacock

Good to know... I am assuming these kind of golf ball screens are the hardest to make?

78

[blairswhitaker]

Thank you Peacock

Good to know... I am assuming these kind of golf ball screens are the hardest to make?

78

they are actually stamped out of clay with a machine, pretty easy to do. it does take some skill to attach them properly. there are a few types of screens used on most japanese pots.
ball screen- like you have above
ceremesh or sesame screen- also stamped in clay, then fitted onto the pot
direct or wall- carved directly into the pot
stainless steel mesh- an actual piece of stainless steel mesh fitted into the pot.

the merits and shortcomings of all these various types have been debated and expound upon in great detail on this forum, a search should provide you with a number of topics.