Buying a new Kyusu. Advise wanted

[Selaphiel]

I'm currently looking for a new kyusu, the one I have is a cheap low quality one and I want to take it up a notch.
I've mainly been looking at Tokoname kyusus at artisticnippon.com. There are 2 pots there I find interesting:

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... /toko5.htm

and

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... yusu1.html

First one is 270ml, the 2nd is 250ml.
The pot needs to be good for both Sencha and Gyokuro. So I would love some input on what pot I should get (feel free to recommend other pots.
Would also like to hear from you if you have done business with artisticnippon before, how is the service and shipping time/packaging?

[Space Samurai]

The service at Artistic Nippon is top notch. I've always received my packages in under a week. Toru-san is a pleausre to do business with. I could write numerous stories about the things he has done. I don't know if this is simply how the Japanese do business, but out of all the tea vendors I've shopped at, his service is number one.

[Salsero]

I went to Toru-san because of Scruff's high recommendation and I found the same incredible service. If you don't see what you want, tell him what you are looking for or send him a photo and he may be able to find something. I got a beautiful white, Banko kyusu because I asked him about smaller sizes and he dug a couple things out of the warehouse, and I got some great chatuaku because I asked him if he had any to go with the cups I was ordering. Oh, and when I asked him about chawan style yunomi, he showed me some photos and special ordered me three lovely cups.

[shogun89]

I was looking at the second one myself, at first I though it cost $35 and was too excited to even read i again, I wanted it so bad! Then I saw the real price and then tried to forget about it. Anyway I absolutely think the second one. What a beauty!!!!

[olivierco]

I prefer a smaller teapot for gyokuro (100-120ml).

I use this one



89€ + shipping costs but Toru should be able to find one.

You can find some nice teapots on ebay. I recently bought this teaset one for 35$ shipping costs included:

[Wesli]

Get the second one. It doesn't seem worth $350, but I absolutely love it.

I've had good experiences with Artistic Nippon as well.

[Victoria]

I've ordered from them several times the last time I got my order in FOUR days!!!
And that is without expedited service!

I say go for the number 2 pot!

You have seen this site, right?
http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/gallery.htm

In fact there is a smaller version of the #2 pot shown there.

[Grubby]

The "official" tokoname shop that Victoria linhked to is awesome.
I bought 2 kyusus from them, no trouble at all, they even write and understand english very well. Though its probably a good idea to be comfortable with shopping over the internet if you buy through them since its a little weird proces.

Btw i think the second one is kind of ugly. But of course somehow it's nice to own something that "only a select few understands the beauty of"

@oliverco: for 35$ that is indeed a very nice teaset, what kinds of tea do u use it for?(if any)

[greenisgood]

http://www.thejapanesegreenteashop.com/ ... ad0e12db31

has anyone seen this or bought from this site? it looks too cheap to be true...

[Geekgirl]

Seems pretty big for gyokuro. Might be good for sencha though.

[Chip]

Agreed, my kyusu(s) for the best of the best gyokuro hold from 1.5 ounces to 3 ounces. That is perfect for a really premo gyokuro.

For a slightly lesser pedigre gyokuro, I am still looking much smaller than 250 ml, more along the lines of Olivierco's beautiful kyusu. I like the no handle aspect of the small gyokuro kyusu as well.

For sencha, most of mine are 270 ml. I have a few smaller.

I like the second one a lot, but I like them both.

[olivierco]

@oliverco: for 35$ that is indeed a very nice teaset, what kinds of tea do u use it for?(if any)

Gyokuro mainly due to the little size of the cups. I sometimes use it for sencha.

[Selaphiel]

Thanks for all the replies.

Got a reply from Toru-san today. He claimed the first pot would be a better hybrid sencha/gyokuro pot since it was wider than the second pot.

This is a tough choice. I really like the 2nd one, but if I take that and want an optimal gyokuro pot, we're talking a lot of money.
Olivierco: Is there an English translation of that French shop you linked to and do they ship outside France?

[olivierco]

Olivierco: Is there an English translation of that French shop you linked to and do they ship outside France?

I don't think there is any translation.
You can drop them a email. I guess they will be able to understand english.
If not: "Je suis intéressé par votre théière en terre cuite Gyokuro à 89,00€. Je désirerais connaître les frais de port pour la Norvège".

[Pentox]

I don't think there is any translation.
You can drop them a email. I guess they will be able to understand english.
If not: "Je suis intéressé par votre théière en terre cuite Gyokuro à 89,00€. Je désirerais connaître les frais de port pour la Norvège".

Translated: "Charge this guy's credit card, but just send it to Oliver"