Blue Sakura Arabesque Kutani Tokoname Kyusu by Gyokko (~220 ml)

This side-handled kyusu is a Japanese teapot designed for steeping Japanese teas, though it works well for other unflavored teas too. The side handle placement makes it easy to pour in short bursts, helping the tea leaves mix and steep evenly. Kyusu are typically smaller than Western teapots, sized for multiple short infusions rather than a single large pot.

This kyusu features a built-in ceramic mesh filter (ceramesh) that strains fine tea leaves well while maintaining good water flow, eliminating the need for basket strainers that can restrict leaf expansion.

Umehara Hirotaka, the second-generation head of Gyokko kiln in Tokoname and a certified Traditional Craftsman, threw this pot on the wheel in dark kokudei clay. Kutani painter Tamura Tsugimori then painted it by hand in overglaze, with cherry blossoms and gold scrolls over aochibu, the Kutani technique of tiny raised dots of blue enamel.

It has a ~220 ml capacity.

Before first use, fill the kyusu with warm water (140-175°F) and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Empty and rinse. For daily cleaning, use warm water only and avoid detergent. If needed, gently clean the ceramic mesh filter with a soft brush, being careful not to damage the mesh. After washing, pour out any remaining water from the spout and body, then store with the lid off until completely dry. Tokoname pottery is less porous than Yixing clay and does not require extensive seasoning.

Details

• Capacity: about 220 ml (7.4 oz) full, 160 ml (5.4 oz) at 80 percent fill
• Clay: kokudei (black clay), unglazed inside
• Decoration: Kutani overglaze, hand-painted cherry blossoms, gold arabesque and blue aochibu dots
• Filter: ceramic mesh (ceramesh)
• Origin: Made in Japan
• Kiln: Gyokko (Umehara Hirotaka), painted by Tamura Tsugimori

Each piece is handmade and hand-painted, so it may vary slightly in appearance from the photo. Product color may also vary slightly due to photographic lighting or monitor settings.