Benishibori Tochiri Tokoname Teapot - 230ml

Name: Benishibori Tochiri Tokoname Teapot - 230ml
Brand: Gyokko
SKU: US-K245
Price: 126.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Gyokko

$126.00

This expertly crafted Tokoname-yaki kyusu (teapot) is made from a deep brown Tokoname clay, decorated in a benishibori (紅しぼり) pattern, emulating the natural striations of shibori-dyed Japanese textiles. The body is further textured with a traditional pattern known as 'tochiri' or 'biri', made using a razor blade bounced across the pot as it spins on the pottery wheel.

Its built-in ceramic sasame filter is perfect for naturally straining tea, with a wide shape for faster pouring and less clogging.

This piece was made by the highly-respected Gyokko (玉光) Kiln, manned by the master potters of the Umehara family. As these are handmade pieces, there may be slight variations in the shape and colouration.

Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The site of one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, pottery has been made in Tokoname since the 12th century.

Today, Tokoname ware is known for its iconic brick-red clay called shudei. Famously used in teaware and bonsai pots, this clay’s vibrant colour comes from its rich iron content. Tea steeped in unglazed Tokoname teapots is said to have a mellower taste.

Illustrated map of Japan highlighting Tokoname, Aichi — the production region of Tokoname-yaki pottery

Benishibori (紅絞り - red squeezing) is a unique spin on the traditional mogake style developed by Umehara Jiro of Gyokuryu Kiln. Meaning 'seaweed wrapping', Mogake (藻掛) is a traditional Tokoname technique dates back to the Edo period and is achieved by wrapping each piece with amamo seaweed before firing. In the kiln, the seaweed burns off, leaving its carbonised silhouette draped across pot. Due to the natural nature of seaweed, each piece of mogake decorated pottery will have its own unique pattern.

Through exhaustive study and countless trials, Umehara-san arrived at his own uniquely refined version of mogake in which the piece is first oxidized in firing and then subjected to reduction smoking to induce delicate changes in color and texture.

The teapot shown with a filled green teacup on a dark surface

Headed by second generation kiln leader Umehara Hirotaka (梅原廣隆), the Gyokko workshop team consists of the Umehara family and their coworkers who work together to create some of the most affordable handmade Tokoname kyusu. By dividing the work between multiple craftspeople, Gyokko can produce incredibly consistent and beautiful pieces on a larger scale, without having to resort to using moulds, thereby allowing more people to appreciate handmade ceramics.