Ode to the Kyusu

[horsencl]

The handle is developing a crack so it won't last much longer but I still love it

[debunix]

Nice splash of color over lid & pot!

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I have 5 kyusu: 4 of them are usable and one is an antique that dribbles terribly. It is pretty to look at, but impractical to use to brew. The other four are awesome and get used depending on my mood.

This is the kyusu that my father brought back from Japan for me in August. He was in Tokyo on a week long business trip and found this one in the market. It has a great pour and holds about 7.5 ounces. The screen is metal and covers just in front of the spout. Dad had no idea what he was looking for in a teapot, but knew that I had a few other teapots that looked like this one with a side handle. He picked out a good one.


In use, with Yuuki-cha's Organic Magokoro. Yes, I chipped the spout. It doesn't affect the pour though.

[Geekgirl]

I have 5 kyusu, 4 of which I use. One is one of those larger Kutani kyusus. Handpainted with the matching cups. It's lovely, but I don't use it because it's kind of old, and doesn't really like to be hot. Kind of a problem with tea. HA!

I have two handcrafted pots, both by Shoryu, that I adore. Total capacity is 10oz and 11oz, but I usually brew in 6oz steeps or less. They really don't like to be full-up to the top anyways. I have a little Gyokko pot that holds less than 5oz full to the rim, and I have a little mass produced "handpainted" with a obi-ami ss screen which I use for Fukamushi because it strains THE BEST.

Here's my favorite pot, although the other Shoryu runs a close 2nd:

[Geekgirl]

The other Shoryu:

[Chip]

Thanks for sharing with us Adam (again), Horsencl, CK, and Geek!

OK, doing math ...
4 artisan Tokoname
7 production Tokoname
4 Hagi
2 Hagi Houjin
I Bizen
2 Bizen Houjin
2 Arita
3 Tetsubin ... yeah, they are kyusu aka teapots
1 really old one, not sure on its region

26 in all ...
I would say I use over 20 of them, though some less than others obviously.

This does not include a Beehouse and another ceramic pitcher style teapot

[Chip]

Bizen Kyusu collection, 2 old Houjin and 1 new standard Kyusu. And Bizen Guinomi.

I aquired the standard pot first, and was so taken by it, when I saw the "matching" Houjin that is about my age ... I could not resist. The little guy is really little, holds 2 ounces tops.

You either love a Yohen Bizen ... or you might hate it.

[camw]

It can't compare to some of the awesome pieces I've seen people post here and in other threads, but I just received this Matsukawa Tokoname teapot by Gyokko from Yuuki-Cha, my first Kyusu. I do like it though and everyone has to start somewhere!

[chicagopotter]

It can't compare to some of the awesome pieces I've seen people post here and in other threads, but I just received this Matsukawa Tokoname teapot by Gyokko from Yuuki-Cha, my first Kyusu. I do like it though and everyone has to start somewhere!

I think that's a pretty great place to start!

[Chip]

It can't compare to some of the awesome pieces I've seen people post here and in other threads, but I just received this Matsukawa Tokoname teapot by Gyokko from Yuuki-Cha, my first Kyusu. I do like it though and everyone has to start somewhere!

I think that's a pretty great place to start!

+1!!! A Gyokko is quite a nice start, much much much better than my first Kyusu. Enjoy. Sasame screen, nice volume, and reduction fired ...

[Chip]

Hagi Kyusu by Shibuya Deishi, Shiro glaze, I struggled with this purchase for months because I liked some of the more substantial handles I had seen, but were not available at the time. However this handle feels really nice in hand!


Reduction firing is visible in varying degrees in Deishi's works, the back shows the dark side.


In service today! Along with SO #7, Shiro Oni Wan. I won't be brewing Fukamushi with this, but the screen works great for everything else. Super fast pour!

[AdamMY]

Chip I dare say that is almost the extra thick application of Shiro which results in Kiaragi (sp?) The wrinkles glaze. I'm a big fan of the globby and wrinkle look caused by Shiro glazes, and I say that kyusu is quite nice.

Camw, That looks like a great kyusu far better than my first one.

[Abracadaver!]

It can't compare to some of the awesome pieces I've seen people post here and in other threads, but I just received this Matsukawa Tokoname teapot by Gyokko from Yuuki-Cha, my first Kyusu. I do like it though and everyone has to start somewhere!

I think that's a pretty great place to start!

+1!!! A Gyokko is quite a nice start, much much much better than my first Kyusu. Enjoy. Sasame screen, nice volume, and reduction fired ...

Agreed. That is a beautiful kyusu. I'm always amazed by the value vs. quality for Gyokko's pots. I've just brewed up the morning sencha in mine. Enjoy!

[Geekgirl]

Ditto on the gyokko. Here's an OLD photo of mine:



I really should do another soon. Love this little pot though, it's the right size and balance, very well made.

Apologies for the photo double post, but here's a (subjectively) better picture of the little gyokko pot.

[blairswhitaker]

Here is my fave... a large one made by my teacher, and the one of two that I did not make myself. It was thrown in china while my teach was on sabbatical there (chinese porcelain), brought back to the USA, and then fired in a Naborigama. Cup also compliment of my teach.

so #1






2. banko houhin
3.8oz glazed inside and out, made by yours truly
4.large cobalt glazed outside only also my own design
5. medium 10-12 oz? noborigama, pearl dust and wood ash fire, own design
6. 4oz, light bone ash glaze outside.

.