Shigaraki Kyusu Impression

[shigaraki]

For a long time, I've been searching for a good clay to brew my Oolong collection. Real ZhuNi pot is difficult to come by and verify, and vintage ZhuNi would cost too much. It was until I came across these fine Shigaraki teapots from Akira Hojo that I could say that my quest had ended.

Here is my limited teapot collection:



From left to right: ZhuNi from Stephane (Tea Masters blog), Banko, wood-fired natural red clay from Petr Novak, and two Shigaraki teapots.

What makes Shigaraki teapot special is not only the clay properties but also the firing technique as well. Made out of rough clay, this teapot is very porous, and thus highly interactive with the liquor.



It took me literally three sessions of brewing the same tea to get this effect. Not only that, the tea aroma would absorb into the clay and each time hot water is added, I can smell it from the clay. But flavor and aftertaste is what the Shigaraki teapot shines. I dedicate one Shigaraki teapot to Hung Shui Oolong from Stephane, and not only the flavor is more pronounced compared to my ZhuNi but the aftertaste is significantly longer. It stayed in my throat for almost an hour.

Overall, I'm quite happy with what I got so far. These fine teapots can only obtained from Hojotea at the moment.

[tingjunkie]

You liked them so much you used the name as your ID I see. Despite your obvious bias, I'll admit I am a bit intrigued.

Anyone else have experience with these?

[Chip]

Not sure I ever really saw Shigaraki-Yaki Kyusu-s previously. Great finds, and I too am intrigued, interested piqued.

I would be interested in use for sencha however.

How about a look see at the insides? The screens? Including Petr's!

Thanks.

[tingjunkie]

Forgot to ask... what are the sizes offered as well as the price range?

[Chip]

Forgot to ask... what are the sizes offered as well as the price range?

And are they available for TeaPartays!!!

[plant partaker]

Very beautiful looking collection! I also would like to know the sizes and price range.

[shigaraki]

Not sure I ever really saw Shigarkaki Kyusu-s previously. Great finds, and I too am intrigued, interested piqued.

I would be interested in use for sencha however.

How about a look see at the insides? The screens? Including Petr's!

Thanks.

I forgot to mention that this particular Shigaraki teapot has "shimmering" quartz particles when I add hot water into the teapot. And the formation is like the Orion's belt stars. It's beautiful and I'm trying to take the picture of that.

As for the availability and size, please check here:

http://hojotea.com/item_e/available.htm

The reported volume capacity is not up-to-the-rim volume however. They're not cheap, but I would rather pay that much and know that the clay is made from a master craftsman and not fake clay.

[Chip]

Thank you kindly!

[guitar9876]

Wow... I really want one of those... or a couple!!

[Victoria]

+1
You had me at "shimmering"

[shigaraki]

+1
You had me at "shimmering"

It was indeed very wonderful to look at. I think it's the interaction between my high-fired TGY with the quartz under high heat. Unfortunately, I have yet mastered the way of brewing a high-fired TGY, so I've not made another batch since.

Nonetheless, I can further confirm one thing about this Shigaraki teapot. Akira Hojo told me that this kind of teapot would be good for any kind of tea. I have to admit that I'm very skeptic at first after reading countless forums posts and especially the book by Lim Kean Siew ("The Beauty of Chinese Yixing Teapots"). So to keep it short, I already brewed my second batch of Gou Bin Li Cha Mao Feng (the finest Huang San Mao Feng). And if anyone have ever tried the tea, I would think you agree that not only this tea is light and delicate, a long aftertaste is not there. But this has changed. Right now I'm writing this, 30 minutes after my last infusion, and the "yun" is still there, nagging me to make another batch.

Just sharing my experience, even though I realize I might appear to be very biased about this whole thing.

[Victoria]

You are not helping with my resistance!!

I have the sister pot to yours by Petr. However I have
not brewed in it yet. Have you noticed improvement
with your clay pot?

[tingjunkie]

Sounds promising. I will be waiting to see if a 120ml or smaller version is offered anytime soon.

[shigaraki]

You are not helping with my resistance!!

I have the sister pot to yours by Petr. However I have
not brewed in it yet. Have you noticed improvement
with your clay pot?

So far not yet, I didn't have much chance to use this teapot since my second Shigaraki pot showed up at the same time. Nonetheless, I can say that Petr teapot is more absorptive, might be good, might be bad. What I've found with these kind of teapots is that you need to stick with one type of tea and brew it at least the second batch to really see the enhancement.

Sounds promising. I will be waiting to see if a 120ml or smaller version is offered anytime soon.

I've requested Akira smaller pot (below 100mL), but Mr. Tachi, the craftsman, tends to do his own thing despite previous attempt of asking him to make smaller pot. However, he's also the only one that I've seen made a 80mL Banko teapot. Tiny size teapot is not very popular in Japan, I guess. I hope one day he would produce a 40mL one for individual gongfu cha.

[shigaraki]

Finally, I got a chance to take pictures of the glittering quartz. It seems this happened when I brewed an Oolong and left the tea leaves overnight. The picture doesn't fully show the beauty of these particles.



100% crop: