{"product_id":"everyday-range-360ml-taller-red-tokoname-kyusu-teapot-with-belt-strainer-tomisen-kiln","title":"Everyday range : 360ml Taller Red Shudei Ikomi [鋳込み] Tokoname Kyusu Teapot with belt Strainer [Tomisen Kiln]","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis slip cast Tokoname-yaki kyusu (teapot) is made from Tokoname shudei (朱泥) clay,   The teapots\u003cspan\u003e belt strainer wraps around the entire inner wall of the teapot and has a wider surface area than any other tea strainer.  This \u003cem\u003e‘belt shaped tea strainer’ \u003c\/em\u003emaintains its functionality regardless of the direction the tea leaves are shifted inside the teapot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"card-widget  card-widget--is-collapsible   card-widget--layout-compact   product__description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"toggle--description\" data-js-content=\"\" class=\"toggle__content remove-empty-space\" role=\"region\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"card-widget__content  rte  remove-empty-space\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece was made by Shinichiro Yamamoto 4th generation at the Tomisen Kiln specialising in the \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIkomi\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e [IKOMI鋳込み] method, (pressure or slip casting)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCapacity : 360ml \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the Tomisen Kiln\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKiln\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e TOMISEN Kiln \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ePresident\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Shinichiro Yamamoto 4th generation \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eMethods used\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis kiln use the slip casting process for the body of the kyusu made here and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIkomi\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e [IKOMI鋳込み] method, (pressure or slip casting) Liquid clay (slip) is poured \u0026amp; shaped in a plaster mould. They also apply \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChara\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e [CHARAチャラ] - a unique Tokoname technique where a very fine liquid clay is sprayed or applied to the surface before firing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eSlip Casting is a skilled industry : \u003c\/b\u003eThe making of the plaster moulds or casts is a whole skilled industry too - they can only be used around 100 times before needing to be replaced We were invited to watch the hand painting \u0026amp; discussed how here, like elsewhere in Tokoname, there is a declining number of skilled workers to complete all the intricate steps. 4 generations on Shinichiro Yamamoto \u0026amp; his family run a highly complex operation - every step has to be completed with precision \u0026amp; in time for the process to work. It’s human centred - no huge computers or algorithms- just years of knowledge \u0026amp; dedication to keep traditions alive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X0oYpLhAyng\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAll about Tokoname\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eA short history :\u003c\/b\u003e The Tokoname region is considered the teaware capital of Japan. This area’s link with pottery dates back to 1100 and is believed to be the oldest in Japan. However, it wasn’t until the start of the Edo period (1603–1868) that this area became important. In early times it focused mostly on vases and jars, but this period also produced the early matcha bowls in the form of yama-chawans (mountain tea bowls). These were coarsely finished bowls with little refinement, but beautiful in their simplicity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe events that shaped Tokoname teaware  :\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday Tokoname is famous for its redware teapots (kyusu), introduced in the early 1860s. Other teapots for green tea had been produced from early in the nineteenth century in Tokoname, but this new style became very popular. Again it was influenced by China, whose own redware teapots were the typical teaware used at this time. The name comes from the deep red, iron-rich clay from which it is made. Its use in Japan had a big effect on Tokoname’s ceramic industry, with an influx of new potters who specialized in making redware teapots. This was helped by the visit of a Chinese potter called Jin Shi Heng who, in 1878, was invited to teach Chinese techniques for making teapots, greatly accelerating development and increasing quality. This, combined with a period of rapid industrialization, eventually meant mass-production hit Tokoname towards the end of the nineteenth century, with much small-scale domestic production replaced with industrial-scale manufacturing.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eTokoname Today : \u003c\/b\u003eToday Tokoname is a place of great diversity, incorporating both small and large-scale manufacture - something reflected in our selection of pieces.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is still best known for its iconic brick-red clay called shudei [\u003c\/span\u003e朱泥 - vermilion clay].  \u003cspan\u003eIt should be noted that \u003c\/span\u003ehonshudei (本朱泥 - real\/true shudei) the original clay - is now rare [as we have seen on our trips] - many potters use modern formulations that approximate its colour and effect on tea profile.  As well as shudei there are many other types of clay in use in modern day Tokoname including \u003ci\u003eKoudei\u003c\/i\u003e [yellow],  \u003ci\u003eRyokudei\u003c\/i\u003e [green] and \u003ci\u003eKokudei\u003c\/i\u003e [black]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy use a Tokoname Teapot? \u003c\/b\u003eThe vibrant colour of shudei comes from its rich iron content which is said to react chemically with the tannins in green tea resulting in a mellow cup. Tokoname ware is also unglazed \u0026amp; naturally porous - a characteristic which is said to enable absorption of impurities from water - making for a smoother cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyles of Tokoname Teapot\u003c\/strong\u003e There are three possible forms of Tokoname teapots, categorized according to where the handle is sited. A yokode kyusu has it on the side, an ushirode kyusu has it at the back and an uwade kyusu has a handle on the top. The most typical modern type is the yokode kyusu, which is the one we use at Comins. This style can be traced back to the end of the Song dynasty (960–1279) in China for the preparation of powdered tea. It has been adapted perfectly over time to meet Japanese needs, incorporating a fine mesh to prevent the fine particles of tea from coming out. Each one is balanced according to the potter’s preferences. Customers often comment how simple yet effective their design is, not knowing that the concept has not really changed in 900 years!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Comins Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55752129315201,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1174\/3374\/files\/FullSizeRender_9275c5f5-d5d9-434e-8bf8-928acf9cfc21.heic?v=1780322609","url":"https:\/\/cominstea.com\/products\/everyday-range-360ml-taller-red-tokoname-kyusu-teapot-with-belt-strainer-tomisen-kiln","provider":"Comins Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}