Thoughts on kyusu?

[coconut]

Do any of you guys/gals have/use any of these? Looked good to me, and quite a good price for a banko from Mr. Tachi Masaki. What are your thoughts? Thanks

http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... aki+Teapot

http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... aki+Teapot

[Victoria]

I prefer the look of the smooth,
I'm sure they are both very nice pots.

[coconut]

I liked the smooth one more as well

[Tead Off]

Do any of you guys/gals have/use any of these? Looked good to me, and quite a good price for a banko from Mr. Tachi Masaki. What are your thoughts? Thanks

http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... aki+Teapot

http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... aki+Teapot

Can't argue with the price! I own a small version of the smooth and am happy with it.

[Chip]

It seems when it comes to Banko, there are 3 groups or classes.

Trashy cheap production run pieces,
well crafted yet nicely priced pieces,
and the artisan uber expensive pieces.

Tachi Masaki seems to consistantly fall into the mid range group, well crafted yet nicely priced. His works are available from several vendors. Considering the price points and lots of availability, I am assuming they are larger runs.

I have considered getting one of his as it would be a good stepping stone to Banko.

[coconut]

I'm planning to use this pot for premium sencha. Are there any other pots you would recommend in the 240-270 ml range that are high quality. I don't mind spending up to $70 or so since i'm not planning to buy many pots

Thanks

[Chip]

If you plan on brewing Fukamushi, the ball type screen can clog up and/or allow too much leaf to exit when pouring. If you are careful when pouring, you may or may not avoid clogging. But my experience is, if you want a faster, no worry pour, then sasame or metal screens are better. With the ball filter, I have sat and sat and sat as my sencha overbrewed waiting for the tea to pour completely.

There are better screens for Fukamushi ... IMHO.

If you are going to brew Asamushi, the ball filter should work fine ... should.

There are a LOT of good kyusu in your price range.

[iannon]

I really like that Mogake pot by Gyokko. its a little more but has the esame filter and i do really just like that mogake style

[coconut]

I have been feasting my eyes on this one... good size, wide opening, huge sasame for fast pour..

http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... ame+Teapot

[Chip]

Again it depends on whether you will be brewing fukamushi. A sasame screen will work for fuka with a bit of care when pouring, more particles will get through compared to a SS screen which is generally a faster pour as well.

But the Sasame works fine for fuka as long as you are paying attention when pouring. It is better than a ball screen IMHO.

[iannon]

plus...i like paying attention!

[Chip]

plus...i like paying attention!

Which has the added advantage that paying attention prevents stupid accidental/careless ding chips to the spout, etc.

[Tead Off]

It seems when it comes to Banko, there are 3 groups or classes.

Trashy cheap production run pieces,
well crafted yet nicely priced pieces,
and the artisan uber expensive pieces.

Tachi Masaki seems to consistantly fall into the mid range group, well crafted yet nicely priced. His works are available from several vendors. Considering the price points and lots of availability, I am assuming they are larger runs.

I have considered getting one of his as it would be a good stepping stone to Banko.

In my conversations with Toru (Artistic Nippon), he told me it was quite difficult to get pots from Masaki as he doesn't make enough to fill all the vendor requests and that Hojo monopolizes the bulk of his work. His smaller kyusu are fewer and more expensive. You can't go wrong with one of his kyusu but finding a small one is not easy unless you want to pay Hojo prices. Toru hasn't had any small ones for a very long time now. My only criticism of Masaki is his limited creative approach to the kyusu. He seems to make the same thing over and over again. Whereas, potters like Gyokko, who make Tokoname kyusu, are more diverse with their designs and aesthetic approach.

[coconut]

BTW, what is the best sencha you have tried? Where from?

[Chip]

BTW, what is the best sencha you have tried? Where from?

Good idea, but let's take it to the Green Tea forum.

I have taken the liberty of creating a fave sencha topic in your honor ...

http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 64#p150164