Nerikomi Japanese Kyusu from Tosen Kiln - Tokoname (~240ml)

If you love Japanese green teas, a kyusu makes brewing them easier and more rewarding. These teapots evolved specifically for loose-leaf sencha and gyokuro, with design features that handle the small leaves and multiple short infusions that define Japanese tea preparation.

Kyusu is simply the Japanese word for teapot. The side handle lets you pour with a simple wrist motion while keeping your thumb on the lid to hold it secure.

This unglazed pot from Tosen Kiln demonstrates nerikomi, where different colored clays are kneaded together before throwing to create marbling throughout the clay body. Each pot's pattern is unique based on how the clays moved during shaping. While Tokoname is famous for its iron-rich red shudei clay, this piece uses lighter clays that showcase the nerikomi patterning.

The built-in ceramic sasame filter makes this pot well-suited for Japanese green teas like sencha and gyokuro. The sasame's fine, closely-spaced holes catch the leaves while allowing tea to pour smoothly. The mineral content in Tokoname clay is said to mellow astringency and round out the body of tea.

• Capacity: 240ml at 80% full (approximately 8 oz)
  
• Filter: Built-in ceramic sasame
• Made in Tokoname, Japan by Tosen Kiln
  

Before first use, soak the kyusu in warm water (60-80°C) for 30-60 minutes to clean any clay particles from the pores. After each use, rinse thoroughly with hot water and let it dry completely with the lid off. Don't use soap or detergent, as the clay can absorb these and affect the flavor of your tea.

Each piece is handmade, so color, size, and weight may vary slightly from the photo. Product color may also vary slightly due to photographic lighting or monitor settings.