This Hagi-yaki houhin (handleless-teapot) features a classic shape and is made from Hagi's deep-red iron-rich mishima (見島) clay, and glazed simply to show off this clay's natural beauty. Like most houhin, it has a wide, triangular open spout which allows for fast pouring, a simple ceramic do-ake filter which lends no metallic taste to the tea.

This teapot is made by Tsubakihide Kiln (椿秀窯), also known as Shutouen (萩陶苑).

Like most Hagi ware, this piece is porous and will absorb water and tea and change colour over time. Before its first use, we recommend soaking the entire piece in warm water for at least two hours to dislodge any dust. This also allows water to fill the cracks and pores, slowing the rate at which tea stains the clay. Slowing the staining process allows the colour change to progress naturally and beautifully.

Hagi-yaki (萩焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that comes from the town of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan and dates back over 400 years. Some of the oldest Hagi-yaki pieces have been declared National Treasures of Japan. The natural warm hues of its clay, along with the simple lines of its forms are highly valued within the traditional aesthetics of many tea ceremony schools.

Hagi ware is said to improve with age as the tannins in the tea slowly stain the fine cracks in the glaze (called crazing or kan-nyuu), creating a rich texture known as 'nanabake', or 'the 7 transformations'. Because of this slightly porous nature, some people like to dedicate their Hagi ware to one type of tea, such as sencha, to avoid having other aromas seep into the clay.

Dimensions:

11cm (4.3in) - width
7.5cm (3in) - height
180ml - capacity

Condition: New

This Japanese item ships from the United States.