Kyusu purchasing

[Proinsias]

I'm looking to buy a new kyusu, preferably a fairly small one of decent quality.

I've had a look around and can't find too much in the way of recommendations, most threads appear to be either very low budget orientated or rather dated. I do know of a few vendors but was sorta hoping people could provide me with a list of sources, which will ship to the UK.

I could scour the site for a few hours, on the other hand I hoped I could ask nicely and some of you could save me a lot of time so when I check in tomorrow all the hard work has been done for me

Hopefully not making to many people cringe but it will probably be used for anything green that comes from Japan and doesn't require a whisk.

I would like to keep the price fairly reasonable, maybe $40-$100 or so being a rough guide.

Aside from using the word Banko on occasion to make me look as if I'm in the know my knowledge of kyusu is pretty lame. I've had a look over on Artistic Nippon, O-cha and a few other places but would like to spoiled for choice.

[Chip]

Artistic Nippon has some nice small ones by Gyokko. I think CD Japan has a small kyusu page.

Then there is the Tokoname site that requires more diligence to shop.
http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/index.html

[iannon]

Artistic Nippon will have more of the nice "artisan" stuff really. Nice choices there and not budget stuff..although there are some nice picks under 70 bucks.

o-cha's selection is *OK* but i like the ones over at http://www.yuuki-cha.com/ better personally. and actually i just bought from there..as my lovely daughter had a tea-ware mishap last week!

also..if you want to wade through all the pages of images..
http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/yubi-mi/ has oh..literally a few hundred tokoname teapots...really.. just pay attention to the little charts at the top of some of the pages that have the size# that translates to ml's. you have to email your order but thats where i got my last pot

[chicagopotter]

o-cha's selection is *OK* but i like the ones over at http://www.yuuki-cha.com/ better personally. and actually i just bought from there..as my lovely daughter had a tea-ware mishap last week!

I recently just purchased a teapot from Yuuki-cha, and was extremely impressed with Dan's service. Communication was great -- he responded to all my queries in a timely manner. Not only that, but I received the piece faster than many other items shipped from domestic US vendors I've previously dealt with.

[tingjunkie]

If it's only going to be for greens, then go for a banko clay pot from Artistic Nippon.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

o-cha's selection is *OK* but i like the ones over at http://www.yuuki-cha.com/ better personally. and actually i just bought from there..as my lovely daughter had a tea-ware mishap last week!

Out of the four kyusu that I own, my favorite is from Yuuki-cha. One of the others that I have came from Rikyu, which is a really fun site to look at, but dangerous on the wallet.

[Robert Fornell]

Interesting thread here..... As a potter who's made kyusu, there are a couple of things to look for in purchasing one. The first is balance as you should be able to stand the pot on its handle without it falling over. Another thing to look for is the relationship between the angle of the spout and handle as they come off the body of the pot. When looking down from the top of the piece, the angle should be around 80 degrees or so and not 90 as some are made. This facilitates easier pouring as the pot is rotated by the wrist. The final two points are obvious, not too heavy as well as not drip when pouring. Most of the kyusu found on the internet under $50 or so are jiggered and or slip cast in production shops while those say $70 to $100 or so tend to be multiples of hand thrown production ware. Enjoy!

Cheers,
R

[iannon]

o-cha's selection is *OK* but i like the ones over at http://www.yuuki-cha.com/ better personally. and actually i just bought from there..as my lovely daughter had a tea-ware mishap last week!

I recently just purchased a teapot from Yuuki-cha, and was extremely impressed with Dan's service. Communication was great -- he responded to all my queries in a timely manner. Not only that, but I received the piece faster than many other items shipped from domestic US vendors I've previously dealt with.

fast!? sheesh..so was mine..I mean I know it was EMS and all but seriously..i ordered it like 1am EST on Wednesday..it got to my house in Knoxville TN no less..than 2pm Friday! i thought that was mighty quick!

[Proinsias]

First off, thanks to everbyody for the input

Interesting thread here..... As a potter who's made kyusu, there are a couple of things to look for in purchasing one. The first is balance as you should be able to stand the pot on its handle without it falling over. Another thing to look for is the relationship between the angle of the spout and handle as they come off the body of the pot. When looking down from the top of the piece, the angle should be around 80 degrees or so and not 90 as some are made. This facilitates easier pouring as the pot is rotated by the wrist. The final two points are obvious, not too heavy as well as not drip when pouring. Most of the kyusu found on the internet under $50 or so are jiggered and or slip cast in production shops while those say $70 to $100 or so tend to be multiples of hand thrown production ware. Enjoy!

Cheers,
R

Buying from the net may make some of those points difficult to ascertain. I can see the point about the angle of the handle and spout being relevant but I'm really not sure as to why it being able to stand free on the handle should be much of a concern. To me this sounds like judging a yixing by shui pin standards.

[Chip]

The ability to be stood on its handle is a sign of balance, but also it is a sign of a well made pot. It shows care is taken in its making, even on what equates to a minor point to some.

This is more common in Tokoname btw, don't expect a Hagi to perform this feat of kyusu gymnastics extraordinaire.

[Proinsias]

Hi again all,

After a little looking I've found myself falling for this little pot at Yuuki-Cha. It's out of stock for a bit and seems frighteningly cheap. But I don't really mind waiting, or paying more for something else but I can't stop staring at it.

Opinions?

[tingjunkie]

I have a 4 oz Gyokko kyusu as well (different style), and it's awesome for green and white teas. Perfect lid fit, great balance, great pour- he does excellent work. The pot you linked to is a good deal less expensive than what I paid too, so hopefully it will come back in stock for you.

[chicagopotter]

I came really close to buying that one, but picked this up instead: http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... ame+Teapot. That little Gyokko is pretty sweet, tho.

[Chip]

Gyokko FTW! I really need one. Well, want one ... I actually find it hard to believe I still do not own one.

I am actually considering a Special Offer for TCers of his kyusu-s. Something a little different and below market value priced. If I can swing it.

[tingjunkie]

Gyokko FTW! I really need one. Well, want one ... I actually find it hard to believe I still do not own one.

I am actually considering a Special Offer for TCers of his kyusu-s. Something a little different and below market value priced. If I can swing it.

That would be awesome! Right around 8 oz would get my vote.