[Aichi/Tokoname] Tomohiro Sawada's Hitori Shizuka — Stoneware Kyusu Teapots Handcrafted by a Ceramic Artist
Have you ever thought that you would like to brew your morning tea a little more carefully? While drip coffee has become commonplace, surprisingly few people have ever properly chosen a kyusu (Japanese teapot). However, once you touch a 'potter's kyusu,' you will find yourself pausing at its quiet weight and the aroma of the tea as you pour.
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The item introduced here is Kitsusako Tokoname-yaki Sawada-san's Modern Kyusu (¥6,880).
The Kyusu Culture Cultivated by Tokoname, Japan's Oldest Pottery Village
Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture is a pottery production area counted among the 'Six Ancient Kilns of Japan,' dating back to the Kamakura period. While the other five kilns are located in mountainous areas or basins, Tokoname alone spreads across hilly land facing the sea. This location changed the history of its pottery.
Tokoname jars and pots, transported by ship to all parts of the country, supported the distribution network of the Middle Ages. Eventually, in the Edo period, as sencha culture took root across the archipelago, Tokoname craftsmen began to focus on the production of kyusu. It has long been said that the unique soil, rich in iron, turns into a reddish-brown 'shudei' (vermilion clay) when fired at high temperatures, which has the effect of mellowing the astringency of tea. Tokoname-yaki, designated as a National Traditional Craft in 1976, is still one of Japan's largest production areas, producing millions of items annually. However, in its corners, ceramic artists who distinguish themselves from mass machine production continue to create kyusu one by one by hand. Tomohiro Sawada is one of them.
Why it cannot be made by machine — The story of stoneware and ceramic tea strainers
The material of this kyusu is called 'stoneware.' It is pottery that sits between earthenware and porcelain, fired at a high temperature of around 1200°C. There are countless microscopic pores on the surface, where the components of the tea leaves seep in slightly, and the more you use the kyusu, the more it develops. It offers the joy of aging that plastic or porcelain cannot imitate.
The tea strainer in this kyusu made by Mr. Sawada is also crafted from the same Tokoname-yaki ceramic. By finishing it with the texture of the clay without using a metal mesh, no metallic odor is transferred to the tea. The wide, horizontal form, with an outer diameter of 14cm and a height of 6.5cm, is calculated so that the tea leaves spread evenly inside the pot. Within the simple structure of placing a single lid on top, there are traces of repeated trial and error.
Mass-produced kyusu are shaped by pouring clay into molds, but a potter's kyusu is formed one by one using a potter's wheel or by hand-coiling. Therefore, subtle individual differences arise in the angle of the spout and the inner curves. The drip-free pouring is completed through collaboration with the 'user's movements' of pouring until the very last drop and touching the edge of the teacup. The feeling of the tool and the person maturing together is an experience not found in mass-produced goods.
The reason I chose this kyusu
Kyusu crafted by Tokoname ceramic artists often cost between 10,000 and 20,000 yen when purchased at galleries or directly from workshops. This Sawada model handled by Kitsusako is ¥6,880, which I felt was a well-balanced price range as an introduction to a potter's kyusu. The capacity is small at 170ml, making it suitable for 'Hitori Shizuka' (quiet time alone) to drink slowly by oneself. With 4.5 stars and 50 reviews accumulated, the quality control of the brand, supervised by a Japanese tea specialist, also became a basis for trust. Stock is currently limited to 10 items.
I want to use it in scenes like this
On a holiday morning, I choose sencha instead of brewing coffee. The 170ml capacity is just right for slowly finishing one brew. In a quiet room where light shines through the window, the sensation of wrapping both hands around the black-gray kyusu brings a calmness like a ritual to start the day.
When you want a moment to drink tea alone during a busy day, it creates a different kind of time compared to using a mug. Measuring the tea leaves, paying attention to the water temperature, and pouring slowly—this sequence of actions helps reset your thoughts.
Placing a kyusu on the table when guests arrive can spark a conversation. It leads to questions like, "Where is this pottery from?" which then expands into stories about the Tokoname region, the Six Ancient Kilns, and the artist. It is a moment where the tool acts as a bridge for conversation.
Care and Tips for Long-Term Use
If you take a little extra care with a stoneware kyusu at the beginning, its subsequent use will be more stable. After purchasing, brew a pot of light sencha or bancha and use it once; the tea leaf components will settle into the fine pores on the surface, tightening the body. From then on, rinsing it lightly with water or lukewarm water is sufficient. It is better not to use detergent, as the ceramic pores may absorb the detergent, which could affect the flavor of your next cup of tea. After rinsing the tea leaves away with running water, wash the tea strainer gently with a soft brush. Air drying is the standard; ensure ventilation by removing the lid rather than leaving it on. As you use it, tea stains will accumulate inside the kyusu, but this is considered a sign of it "maturing" and is said to bring a deeper flavor. If it cracks, there is the option of kintsugi with lacquer, and the repaired marks become part of the vessel's character.
Other Tokoname-related Kyusu to Consider
If you are thinking about enjoying tea with more people or for gift purposes, a set that includes a saucer is also a candidate: the LOLO Kyusu Gift Set Gray (¥9,980 ★4.7, 16 reviews) ▶ View on Amazon. This three-piece set includes a kyusu, tea coaster, and saucer, and comes in a gift box, making it suitable for handing over in person. If you prefer a model in a slightly softer-looking Asagi (pale blue-green) color, there is also the option of the LOLO Dobin Kyusu Asagi (¥6,980 ★4.4, 19 reviews) ▶ View on Amazon. Both are Japanese-made ceramics crafted within the context of Tokoname ware.
Points to Consider When Choosing for Gifts or Anniversaries
Occasions for gifting a kyusu include retirement celebrations or housewarming gifts. At a milestone where a life of "slowly enjoying daily life" begins after leaving work, Japanese tea tools serve as a message that is like gifting the way one spends time. They are also suitable for wedding gifts, as you can choose them while imagining the time the couple will spend enjoying sencha together. Since the 170ml capacity is set for one person, it is easier to convey your feelings to a couple if you give it along with two teacups. For Father's Day or birthdays, they are often chosen as gifts for tea-loving parents. The fact that it is an artist's handmade work differentiates it from ordinary kyusu.
Summary
The soil of Tokoname, which has been firing tea vessels for over a thousand years, is still taking on new forms in the hands of artists today. This kyusu, made one by one by Tomohiro Sawada, has the power to turn your morning tea into a slightly more special time. Even if you have never visited the pottery town, a connection to the production area can begin with a single cup of tea.
Experience the one-of-a-kind craftsmanship for yourself.
▶ View "Kitsusako Tokoname-yaki Sawada-san's Modern Kyusu" on Amazon
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