Red & Black Clay Shimizu Ken Teaware from Hojo

[tieguanyin]

I know there has already been some discussion on the Hojo teaware thread but it would be interesting to have separate thread for this particular artist.

Anyone care to share theirs pics and reviews of the teaware by Shimizu Ken? Does his wares brew good tea?

Happy posting !

TGY

[Ambrose]

Ive had the honor of owning two black clay sado pots and a new red batch.

The black is more smoothing/rounding with a great mineral enhancement which helps the after taste.

The red is less smoothing/rounding, with a different but similar mineral enhancement.

I like them both greatly but I am leaning towards the red clay more. I like it more because I do enjoy some of the nuances that sometimes are lost when it is smoothed too much. I do notice the red clay is alot less forgiving to over brewing because of this. I only own the red houhin now.

I think its all preference but I enjoy the clays as well as the craftsmanship.

[tortoise]

Ambrose, I have been charmed stupid by that houhin. I would have no idea what to say to it if we were in the same room. I would probably just hide in the corner.

[David R.]

Love mine...

I also love this red hohin, but I definitively have too many teapots right now, so...

[iannon]

Ambrose, I have been charmed stupid by that houhin. I would have no idea what to say to it if we were in the same room. I would probably just hide in the corner.

agreed ! that little houhin is just sublime!

[David R.]

Houhin at work here.

[tieguanyin]

Houhin at work here.

Was that video filmed in Akira's laboratory, where he experiments with his teaware ?

[Ambrose]

Thank you so much everyone! Exactly why I love teachat! I can share something and you guys appreciate it as much as I do! Try showing and explaining these things to others around me here. I just get "ummmm ok" and "I don't get it"

That video is what charmed me into getting one

The houhin is charming, perfect word! Thick walls, pours like a gaiwan, no fuss perfect lid fit, quality red clay, smooths the brew a bit with good aftertaste and works well with many types of tea.

Here is a picture of her today, growing a darker sheen. I brew mostly gao shan oolongs some gyokuro too.

I was drinking some premium bao zhong from hou de in the pic
This has been the only pot that can brew baozhong really well for me.

David, your kyusu picture is amazing !

[Chip]

As are just about all the pots on the Hojo site, these are beauties!

[sergio]

IMG_3907.jpg

This is my new one ...

[Emjaysmash]

These are great looking! Thanks for sharing!

[David R.]

Nice Nosaka Kyusu. I love the graphite skin of these pots, especially when they are new.

[victoria3]

Beautiful kyusu. Do you find it enhances the flavor of your tea?

[Alex]

I don't like to use the word "enhance" myself but it certainly changes the balance of flavour a lot in my Sencha. In fact the way the black Shimizu Ken pots do it are quite full on.

For me I like to think of it as more like fiddling with the EQ on an audio track. In which case the clay lowers the treble, plumps up the mid range and deepens the bass LOL

[sergio]

yes i think so but i'm not able to say exactly why, as well as alex

I believe that everything is connected and sometimes you have to let go...