Tokoname Ichimatsu Teapot by Tosei Kiln

Japanese kyusu teapots excel at brewing leaf tea. The built-in ceramic mesh strainer allows leaves to unfurl completely while keeping them out of your cup, and the side handle provides excellent pour control. The compact ~210ml capacity (about 7 oz) is ideal for solo sessions or serving two small cups, ensuring you drink the tea at its best rather than leaving it sitting.

This unglazed Tokoname pot offers particular advantages for tea brewing. The porous clay interacts with the tea, softening hard water and mellowing astringency over time. As you use it, the pot develops a patina from the tea oils, gradually enhancing its performance. Tokoname's distinctive iron-rich red clay has been prized for a thousand years for precisely these qualities.

While designed for Japanese green teas like sencha and gyokuro, this pot works beautifully with any unflavored leaf tea. 

The ichimatsu checkerboard pattern gives this pot a super cool aesthetic. This traditional Japanese motif takes its name from 18th-century kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu, who popularized the alternating square design. 

Made by Tosei Kiln, a Tokoname workshop producing handcrafted teaware. Each piece is handmade, so expect natural variations in color and dimensions. Minor irregularities, glaze pooling, or small pinholes are characteristic of the craft and don't affect function.

Capacity: ~210ml (7 oz)
Material: Unglazed Tokoname clay with ceramic mesh strainer
Origin: Made in Japan
Maker: Tosei Kiln

Care: Rinse with hot water after each use—never use soap, which will clog the porous clay and leave residue. Allow the pot to air dry completely before storing in a well-ventilated spot. For best results, dedicate this pot to one type of tea (green tea, oolong, etc.), as the clay absorbs flavor over time. With proper care, the pot will develop a lustrous patina and improve with age.