Definition of Kyusu

[Chip]

Instead of continuing to clutter up the other topic with this ongoing discussion, I figured let's create a new topic. The original discussion was borne here: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17849

Toru of http://www.artisticnippon.com/ replied to my query, see below:

I am sorry to trouble you with this, but I hope you can answer. I was told or read that Kyusu can simply mean teapot? Thus many styles of teapots could also be called simply kyusu. While some may have more specific nomenclature, generally speaking could not most Japanese teapots also be called kyusu? So, a dobin, or a rear handled pot and of course the side-handled pot could be called kyusu or is a type of kyusu?

What about a Shiboridashi or a Houhin? Although it is easy to simply call them by their specific name, but what if on a table there were examples of many types of Japanese teapots. Would it be OK ... proper ... to say, "On this table are many examples of different styles of 'Kyusu?'"

Also, is Kyusu specific for Japanese teapots? Or would someone in Japan look at a foreign pot and also say, "Kyusu?"

This question is being discussed on the forum presently. I would like to offer your perspective. Thank you in advance.

[Chip]

And Toru's reply:

I never thought about the definition of kyusu so much!

I guess Kyusu has a wide meaning and the definition might not be as accurate as "teapot".
One encyclopedia says it is a pot with handles for brewing tea.
Another says it is a teapot.
There was one definition which classed it as "a pot with a handle on side for brewing tea".

In my actual store when our customers ask for kyusu, I figure that they are referring to
teapots with handles on the side. Back handled teapots are called "ti-potto". Back handled
Chinese teapots are called "chako" which is the Japanese pronounciation for Chahu.
Dobin are called dobin. When people come to a store like mine, I guess they have to be
specific with what they would like to buy, by asking for a Shiboridashi or a Houhin.

Although it is easy to simply call them by their specific name, but what if on a table
there were examples of many types of Japanese teapots. Would it be OK ... proper ... to say,
"On this table are many examples of different styles of 'Kyusu?'"

Yes, in my store
all the teapots, kyusu, houhin, shiboridashi are in the kyusu sect.

So to summarize, "kyusu" can be used to refer to a side handled Japanese style teapot
or as a blanket term for Japanese teapots in general. Actually usage probably depends on where you are
in Japan as well . It's not an easy question to answer!

Hope this helps.

[Chip]

So, seemingly almost anything goes ...

You can refer to all Japanese teaposts generally as Kyusu.

Most people first think Kyusu as the side-handled pot.

Most teapot types have more specific names, which we knew.

Foreign teapots likely are not usually called kyusu, but who knows.

A Western Teaware Artisan such as Petr sells kyusu, that is OK. Though it may be better to say Kyusu style, the Teapot police will not be summoned.

There are no absolutes as there are for instance in the Japanese tea ceremony.

[MarshalN]

In Japanese usage kyusu just refers to pretty much any teapot, so foreign teapots that look vaguely asian will be called kyusu. I don't think brown betties apply in that category, however.

[gingkoseto]

Yeah I guess most small teapots (<500ml?) can be called kyusu. It seems most of the "tetsubins" (500ml or smaller) sold by American mainstream vendors are actually kyusu by Japanese definition.

In my home, I would call those side-handled teapots kyusu so it would be straightforward when I refer to those ones. But the first side handled teapot I saw was in my childhood in China from a neighbor. He was the only one I saw holding a side handled teapot all the time, but later I saw a few more. Those side handled teapots were pretty much the same as a porcelain kyusu, although the word "kyusu" is not used in China.

[Lionel]

For me, kyusu 急須 means teapot in japanese.
Yokode kyusu (or yokote) 横手 急須 = side handle teapot.
Ushirote kyusu 後手 急須 = back handle teapot.

I am used to call "kyusu" the teapots I use to brew my sencha, and "yixing" the teapots I use to brew my chinese teas (almost pu er).