A Beginner's Guide to Buying Japanese Teaware

I had a conversation the other day with a new guy on TeaChat that inspired me to compile a bit of a guide to purchasing Japanese Teaware.

Short answer, buy from Japanese vendors--this is often true of their tea as well. The closer you get to the source, the better the price and sometimes quality. For example, look at prices for pots by my favorite artist, Shimizu Genji/Hokujo.

Artistic Nippon (Japan): 125 USD

Tamayura (France): 150 USD

Rishi-Tea (USA): 170 USD

For another, less dramatic example, though I hate to pick on Rishi, look at the "kikumaru."

Nishikien (Japan) 40 USD

Rishi-Tea (USA): 55 USD

However, to be fair, shipping must also be taken into consideration, and sometimes the higher cost of having your pot shipped from Japan can eat into the money you would be saving. Even so, the total cost of a Shimizu kyusu and samashi plus shipping from Rishi was 240 vs 195 from Artistic Nippon. And Zencha doesn't charge shipping on their pottery.

There are a few other concerns with purchasing directly from Japanese vendors. A language barrier, exchange rates, and poorly translated web sites, sometimes lacking a clear way to even order the item you want can be intimidating. In some cases there isn't a "shopping cart" or an easy check out; the transaction is handled with emails and international money orders. Not to mention if you don't know anyone who has had experience with a particular site, you could always be taking a risk. But, thus far my experiences have been nothing but positive, and I still think this is the way to go.

Artistic Nippon

My Favorite Place for Tokoname yaki.

As I am about to show you, I simply can not say enough good things about Artistic Nippon and its owner, Yoshikawa Toru. He spent some time going to school in Wisconsin; his English is perfect, so communication is not a problem. He provides a personal touch that I don't see often. All of my correspondence with him has been a pleasure; he has helped me with my Japanese and answered all my questions. He even sent me maps of Kyoto and museum brochures when I mentioned I was planning a trip.

Twice now I have sent him a picture of an item that I was interested in that he was able to procure for me, and I know of a few other people who have done the same. If there is something I'm looking for, Toru san is the first person I go to.

Zencha

My Favorite Place for Hagi yaki.

Every time I visit their site, I thank all merciful gods that every item I simply must have has already been sold. I live in mortal terror and nigh sexual anticipation of the day they re-stock. They have a phenomenal selection, biographies of their artists, a feature that I am particularly fond of, and free shipping.

Other well known places that I have used and can vouch for, though their selections are smaller:

Den's Tea
Hibiki-an

These vendors have extraordinary selections, but I have not yet purchased from them. I would ask around a bit or contact them before pulling out the credit card. Just to be safe.

Tea Shop

Tokoname Teapot

Nishikien

Looking for wholesale, try these guys:

Yamadera

Since I picked on them...

Rishi-Tea

They have the best selection of Tokoname I've seen from a domestic vendor. Whoever their buyer is, he has very good taste. I have purchased seven of their pots over the last two years, and all of them were excellent for the price paid. If you choose to go with a company closer to home, I highly recommend them.

The Fukugata in particular is the best tea pot for beginners, in my opinion. If only they could keep it in stock. If you get a chance, grab one; its worth it.

Shimizu Genji-san, Part 3

Last week I received two new items from Tokoname, Japan via Artistic Nippon that were hand crafted by my favorite tea guy, Shimizu Genji-san (Hokujo), and I think they are perfect.

Mogake Yokode Kyusu


I knew that I wanted a side-handled kyusu by Genji-san, and I have been saving up for one for a while, humming and hawing over which one I should purchase. At the last minute I picked this one, and I'm glad I did.

This teapot uses a "mogake" design, where seaweed is attached to the pot using string, thus allowing the salt to oxidize the clay during firing. This creates a unique and elemental pattern.


The spout is well made, and the lid is a remarkably precise fit, so there is absolutely no leaking or dripping.

Notice that the handle and spout are not a perfect right angle. I can't remember where I read it, but supposedly that is a sign of a well designed kyusu.

Another fantastic sasame.

Three-Footed Yuzamashi

I saw this one on a Japanese website that only sold wholesale, and I had been looking for it since. When I ordered the kyusu, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask Yoshikawa-san if this was an item that he could procure for me. To my very pleasant surprise, it appears he spoke with Genji-san, who then made this particular one.

When I first saw a picture of it, and every single time after, all I could see was water being poured into it, sort of sloshing around, pure and clear. It sounds lame, I know, but the yuzamashi knew its purpose and wanted to full fill it. When it came, as soon as it was unwrapped, without thinking about it, I filled it with water, and it was like a deep itch had finally been scratched.


Yeah, lame, I know, but this piece is special to me, nonetheless.

It handles very well. Being wide and shallow allows a better distribution of weight than the tetsuki yakishime samashi, facilitating a smoother pour.


I like the feet.


I chose to say little and let the pictures try to speak for themselves. But I can tell you that seeing a picture is nothing like holding them. These two items are superb.

Yoshikawa Toru...

...is my hero. I have been looking for this samashi. I was placing an order with Artistic Nippon, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if it was something he could get his hands on. It turns out that not only can he get one, but that it is being made specifically for me. Oh I'm sure that he'd order one for any customer that asked, but the point is that the one I get will be made because I asked for it.

In a couple of weeks, expect me to go all ga-ga in a review over this thing.

Samashi by Shimizu

I am looking for this yakishime samashi from Tokoname, Japan made by Shimizu Genji. If you've seen this on a website somewhere, or know where I can purchase one, please let me know. I've found a place that sells whole sale, but they have not responded to my emails. Sure would like to get my hands on one. Thank you.

Shimizu Genji-san Update

When will the Shimizu-thon end?!

This morning someone emailed me these pictures. I enjoyed them, so of course I'm going to assume that you will, too.

Update: Okay, these pictures were provided by a French company, Tamayura. And for people who can't get enough of this stuff, go here. (Thanks wehayley).










Whoever sent me these pictures, thank you very much, and I hope its okay that I posted them here. If not, I will remove them right away.

Come back soon for a blog entry that has nothing to do with Japanese potters or even Japan.

Shimizu Genji-san, Part 2 (a review)

The Kabuse Ushirode and Yakishime Tetsuki Samashi are easily two of my favorites. I purchased them both from Rishi-Tea. They were hand-crafted by Shimizu Genji-san in Tokoname, Japan. They are both yakishime, high-fired unglazed stoneware, which gives them a wonderful texture and light weight, allowing for smooth, easy pouring. They are elegant, beautiful and quite gratuitous.

As much as they may enhance the tea making/drinking experience, my $35 shudei kyusu makes tea just as well. While I would reccomend these items to anyone interested in collecting high quality Tokoname pottery, if you are just looking to make a cup of tea, save your money. Purchasing items such as these is half about tea and half about appreciating art.

Kabuse Ushirode
Diameter: 3.75"
Height: 3.25"
Volume: 350ml
Price: $170

Vendor: Rishi-Tea

My wife bought me this pot for Christmas last year, and I've dedicated it to dian hong. The quarter in the picture can help you visualize its actual size. Kabuse translates as wrapped, or in this case "covered lid," and Ushirode means back handle.

I did not get a great picture, but you can see the sasame, clay mesh screen, something that I prefer over stainless steel obi-ami or ita-ami. There was a discussion earlier on O-Cha's forum about the pros and cons of the different filter styles, and it was voiced by some that this style of filter would allow the tea leaves to clog the spout and inhibit the flow. So I ran a test timing how long it took to pour, first using just water, then brewing a pot of tea using a generous amount of leaves. I did this twice, and I am happy to say that each time took exactly 12 seconds. I am told that this filter is made by a machine, and that they spent years researching the different aspects, how many holes and what size, the curvature of the screen for optimal strength. They did their job well.

Yakishime Tetsuki Samashi

Diameter: 3.4 in.
Height: 3.875 in.
Volume: 350 ml.
Price: $60
Vendor: Rishi-Tea

Tetsuki Samashi translates to water cooler with side handle or something. When brewing whites, greens and some oolongs, a water cooler comes in handy. It can double as a sharing pitcher, but it is porous, so only if you dedicate it to a particular type of tea.

You can see in the middle picture one of the things I love about it. Most likely a coincidence, there is a dark ring that marks exactly 8oz. of water, my preferred amount. So measuring water is never a problem, at least with the one that I have.

Not sure what else to say about it. Functional? Yes, but a $2 measuring cup could do the same job. Nonetheless, if I just had to choose, I think this tetsuki samashi might be my favorite piece. Simple. Elegant. Ridiculously superfluous.

Shimizu Genji-san (Or possibly Hokujo?)

This is Shimizu Genji-san, quite possibly my favorite man in all of Japan. At the very least he is by far my favorite artist in Tokoname. I am positively mad about this guy.
Over the last year I purchased his Yakishime Tetsuki Samashi and Kabuse Ushirode. I spent several months Googleing him in my desperate attempts to find more his work, but I was s.o.l. I even emailed Rishi and had a conversation with Sean O'leary about it, but his works were no where to be found on the web.

Until now.

(edit: look at this, I used noticed three times in two sentences. Would someone please hit me upside the head with a thesaurus).

I was browsing through the link I left in my last post, when I noticed a kyusu that I really liked. I took a closer look, and noticed how familiar the style was, then I noticed Shimizu-san's chop and rejoiced.

Here is a link to a larger gallery of his work: Shimizu Hokujo

In celebration of the opportunity to throw away more money on superfluous tea pots, I will get off of my ass tomorrow and finally right a review.